2016 U20 Four Nations Tournament

Keeping the Edge

Russian phenoms spark sweep of Europe’s best
Steve Kournianos  |  08/29/2016 |  New York  |  

The Draft Analyst (New York) — The Russian under-20 national team made quick work of the competition at the Four Nations tournament in Hodonin, Czech Republic, outscoring opponents over three games by a 10-4 margin. Fielding a roster with a mix of both NHL and undrafted Russia-based prospects, this version of their U20 squad opened with a suffocating 4-1 win over Sweden on Friday. It took right wing Kirill Kaprizov — a 5th round pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2015 — just 28 seconds into the game to give Russia a lead it would never relinquish. Kaprizov finished with two goals against the Swedes and added his third and fourth in a 4-2 win over the Czechs on Saturday. Team Russia closed the competition by edging Finland 2-1 in a shootout on Sunday. Russian defenseman Yegor Rykov, who was a fifth round pick of New Jersey last June, led all blueliners in scoring with three assists in three games, and undrafted goalie Vladislav Sukhachev stopped 44 of a combined 47 shots while winning both his starts.

Prospect Reports

Russia

RW Klim Kostin (2017 Draft / Ranked No. 6)

If you used size and quality of play to judge the maturity of a player, it may have come as a surprise that Kostin was the youngest roster player who accompanied Team Russia to the Czech Republic. Blessed with a NHL build before turning 18, Kostin takes an excellent approach towards every shift — make your mark while leaving a few on your opponents. He wasn’t given much ice time at the start of the tournament, bouncing around between the third and fourth lines and getting nothing in terms of special teams play. But that probably had more to do with his age and Team Russia’s penchant for making the younger National Team players earn their minutes rather than gifting them off of reputation. In the end it didn’t mater, as Kostin used every second to mash, deke, glide and press. He scored a critical opening goal against the Czechs’s in Russia’s second game, using his strength to free the puck from an opponent, raced up ice and slid undetected into the slot (of all places) before firing a shot that deflected in off a Czech defender. Yes, Kostin’s modus operandi is goal scoring, but he’s far from one dimensional. He’s a very good passer and doesn’t fold under the pressure of multiple opponents, which serves him well when he decides to move the puck up the ice.

RW Kirill Kaprizov (MIN 5th/2015)

Kaprizov is looking more like one of the better late-round picks from the heralded 2015 draft. He was one of the KHL’s top rookies last year, playing close to 18 minutes a game as a top-6 regular and earning a spot on Russia’s 2016 world junior squad. He was outstanding at the Four Nations, leading the competition with four goals in three games while playing on the top line and power play unit. Kaprizov is fast, slick and has the puck glued to his blade, but he’s not all flash-and-dash. The area in front of and around the goal is where he does a lot of dirty work, and it came as no surprise that he was potting goals off of rebounds. Look for him to be a top option for Team Russia when the U20 squad reconvenes in November for either the next 4 Nations in Gothenburg, Sweden or the CHL-Russia Super Series in Canada.

C German Rubtsov (PHI 1st/2016)

Like Kostin, Rubtsov was one of the Russians’ younger statesmen in Hodonin, manning both the third line and one of the penalty killing units. It was somewhat odd seeing him in a support role, but if there’s one high-profile prospect who can make relevancy out of a decrease in minutes, it’s definitely the defensively-capable Rubtsov. The whistle-happy environment gave coach Valery Bragin the chance to use Rubtsov on defensive-zone draws, especially in pressure scenarios during a close game with the Czechs. He did well on his neutral and defensive zone faceoffs, winning a bunch completely clean, and made a fine play in transition to speed up the right wing with his head up before threading the needle to Kostin for a goal. Remember, it was rumored Rubtsov would play in North America this season, but he’ll likely suit up as a role player for Vityaz’s KHL club before heading to Canada for the WJC.

LHD Yegor Rykov (NJD 5th/2016)

Rykov was Russia’s top defender in Hodonin for several reasons. First, he was on the top pairing and matched up against the opposing top lines at both even strength and on the penalty kill. Second, he manned the top of the umbrella on Russia’s top power play unit, where he displayed his hard, accurate shot. Lastly, he led all defensemen in the tournament in assists (3) and points (3). Drafted as an overager when he was clearly deserving of a first-year selection in 2015, Rykov has been the kid Russia leans on when it plays in U20 tournaments. You might be able to point to his solid play at this same tournament last year (played in Russia) as the beginning of a string of successful international showings that helped him get drafted. Offensively, Rykov is a very good skater and puck mover who uses the home-run pass with accuracy, and his hands are soft enough to play catch and handle tough passes. Russia kept opponents to the outside the entire tournament, and Rykov was a big reason why.

LHD Yegor Zaitsev (2017 Draft / Overager)

We were big fans of Zaitsev despite an injury-filled draft year,  so in a way we felt validated when we saw he was not only named to the U20 camp roster, but ended up making the cut altogether. He was far from an obscure prospect (Central Scouting ranked him 34th last year among European draft eligibles), but he was passed over on Draft Day in favor of several defenders who had neither the resume or the potential. In Hodonin, Zaitsev was instrumental on both the penalty kill and as a depth defender in a shut-down role, and Bragin seemed comfortable placing him in key defensive-zone situations. This kid plays a mean, menacing game, and there were times (especially against Finland), where players didn’t look comfortable vacating his space in the low slot. Zaitsev is smart with the puck — if it’s on his stick in the defensive zone, he won’t hesitate to not only skate it out himself, but continue up-ice for numerical superiority. If you’re going by Russia’s overall U20 depth on defense, making the WJC squad may be a bridge too far. But in our view, Zaitsev shouldn’t need a high-profile event to strengthen his draft stock, even if it’s as a 1998-born overager.

LW Alexander Polunin (2017 Draft / Double Overager)

Polunin went undrafted for the second straight season, and it may be for his one-dimensional play as an undersized skill winger. But we give the kid credit — he looks like a real gem when the puck is on his stick. And while people can debate the livelong day as to whether or not this sort of player has any chance to meet the demands of a North American professional league, what cannot be argued is that any team — no matter the league or location — can always take a chance on an offensive forward with exceptional creativity. He played on the top line alongside Kaprizov and center Mikhail Vorobyov, picking up two assists — both in a 4-1 win over Sweden on Friday. Polunin and Kaprizov instantly meshed, and the duo seemed to do all of the legwork in terms of possession and zone entries, turning Vorobyov into more of a bystander.

Finland

LHD Robin Salo (2017 Draft / Ranked No. 25)

Finland has about a half dozen first-round quality draftees on defense, but only two were part of the festivities in Hodonin. Salo (pictured) is the least capable in terms of speed and puck distribution, but he’s one of the best in defending from the red line inward. He made a couple of mistakes in terms of interdicting his man charging the net, but they were exceptions for a teenage defender who’s been playing against older competition for quite some time. Size and smarts are his best two assets, and he’s consistent in taking a heavy hit in order to complete a play — a rarity in the safety-conscious hockey of today. Beating him to the outside is a fruitless endeavor, as he maintains a tight gap with strong stick-on-puck tactics. He’s shown the ability to contribute offensively (Salo has a hard shot and can cross-ice pass with accuracy), so look for him to expand his offensive game since the defensive portion needs little work.

C Aapeli Rasanen (EDM 6th/2016)

Rasanen continued his strong run of international competitions by standing out as one of Finland’s top forwards. And while it would be fair to point out the Finns’ notable U20 no-shows (Sebastian Aho, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, Janne Kuokkanen, etc.), Rasanen’s two-way skill set as a center almost makes him a unique, if not necessary add to the National Team. The Finns struggled to score in Hodonin, but Rasanen potted two of their four goals. He killed penalties, took defensive zone draws and centered one of the two power play units. We noticed the ice became figuratively smaller as these tournaments progressed, so the speed and skill traditionally inherent in European hockey is seemingly replaced by checking and clogging. But the one constant for Rasanen is that he ends up not only adapting to the nature of a given game, but finds a way to stand out as well. He’s a cerebral player who makes clean plays but used keen vision to locate open linemates for quality chances on several occasions. Rasanen’s hand-eye coordination is outstanding, and he’s lightning-quick at taking a turnover and turning it into a scoring chance in a split second.

LHD Markus Niemelainen (EDM 3rd/2016)

Niemelainen had a strong tournament playing alongside Salo, leading Finland’s second pairing and taking a role on both the power play and penalty kill. He’s a big kid with a massive wingspan, so defending in one-on-one situations has never been a problem. What we noticed almost immediately was an improvement in reading plays and taking calculated risks. The Niemelainen of last year was way too restless in the slot, and his wandering cost him. This wasn’t the case at the Four Nations, where he seemed to communicate well with Salo (and supporting forwards), and released from his slot duties with decisiveness and success. Sure, he still wanders as far as the opposing point. But we didn’t catch him puck gazing or keeping his back turned, and his first-step quickness looks like it improved. Niemelainen showcased his love for shooting the puck, and on occasion took it up-ice with confidence but minus any sort of creativity.

LHD Miro Heiskanen (2017 Draft / Ranked No. 31)

Heiskanen was the best of Finland’s eight defensemen, playing on the top pairing and quarterbacking the power play. And speaking of quarterback, rarely did we find him itching to get rid of the puck when danger appeared. He liked to call audibles while curling back to reset, and was whipping stretch passes off his back foot with authority and accuracy. If an opening is there, Heiskanen is a strong-enough skater to attack it with speed before making a quick head-man as the walls collapse around him. He’s quite elusive when dropping down well below the circles, but he seems comfortable hovering around the high slot or above the rings with the hammer cocked. Heiskanen has a very good shot, and he keeps it on net regardless of the maze of skates and sticks in front of him. A lot of that has to do with the constant movement of his feet, while pump fakes and jukes are used if the initial look is blurred. The bad news was Finland was kept to the outside most of the tournament and little room was afforded for skill players like Heiskanen to exploit.

C Joona Koppanen (BOS 5th/2016)

This tournament was the first since the U18 Five Nations last December where the 6’5 Koppanen was given the opportunity to showcase his offensive skills. Relegated to a depth role at the U18 worlds but expected to play on Ilves’ U20 top six, Koppanen displayed puck savvy and calmness at this tournament, looking more like a playmaking wizard than some sort of matchup, depth type. Granted, the Finns had trouble scoring and their size was pushed away from the middle. But Koppanen seemed comfortable controlling the puck in tight spaces, using his reach and long stick to ward off defenders while slipping the puck to open points. He didn’t look as gangly with his skating as he did a year ago, and we’d be lying if we said we weren’t impressed with his confidence.

Czech Republic

RW Radek Koblizek (2017 Draft / Overager)

Listen, we won’t mince words — Koblizek is tiny. But the kid can flat out fly and make plays off the rush, which is exactly what he did all tournament long. Sometimes he seems out of control, and he’ll even try to stickhandle through five guys. To us, it was perfectly acceptable given the cramped conditions he and every other finesse forward faced. Furthermore, it wasn’t like his dashes up ice were catching his teammates off guard — this is who he is, and they looked as if they knew when to brace themselves for one of his up-ice adventures . Koblizek has excellent first-step quickness and looks like he was fired out of a self-propelled howitzer. He’s no longer Extraliga property, however, as he signed with Karpat in Finland, where he’ll play on the U20 squad likely in a depth role.

LHD Filip Hronek (DET 2nd/2016)

You’ll have to excuse us if we sound like a broken record, but boy can Hronek play the game of hockey. After an impressive WJC as a draft-year eligible, Hronek was the Czech Republic’s best player of any position, logging the most minutes in every situation. He made multiple impressive plays per game, and even strung together half-periods of defensive-zone dominance. Not bad for a kid listed right at six feet, but don’t even thjnk for a moment that he’s the same scrawny kid we saw at the same U20 Four Nations last August. The increase in upper body strength was evident in both his ability to pin and hold, and fend off opponents while on the move. The Red Wings have a dandy on their hands, and they’ll get to see more of him when he suits up for the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit.

LW Lukas Andel (2017 Draft / Overager)

Andel is a swift but stocky puck wizard who plays similar to Koblizek but with a tad more polish to his overall game. He’s a center with natural playmaking abilities and does not hesitate when he identifies the open man. Andel is an excellent straight-line skater with solid balance and strength on the puck, and we saw opponents play standoffish as he entered the neutral zone with speed. He scored a goal in three games but was more noticeable than the standard box score would tell you.

C Dominik Lakatos (2017 Draft / Double Overager)

Lakatos was one of the better forwards in the tournament, leading the Czechs with three goals in three games and eating the most minutes as their top center. He’s a strong kid with very good mobility and an absolute load to handle during board battles, and if the puck gets cleared down towards his own end, he’s confident enough to speed back and lug it up the ice himself. Lakatos looked like a real leader out there, and he revealed incredibly soft hands for what really is a power center.

RW Daniel Karovsky (2017 Draft / Overager)

A 1998-born power forward who would be a surefire NHL pick is he just tried to look as if he cared from the start of a shift until the very end. Kurovsky has several tools the modern-day NHL coach would want — size, strength and a wicked shot. The downside is that he waits for the puck to come to him no matter what zone he finds himself in. Sure, if you are that good at wiring a hard shot on net off the pass, it’s best to find an opening and cock the hammer. And while it’s only a three-game tournament — a late-summer one at that — he’s the kind of player who should have feasted on the several dozen smaller types who can’t match up with his physical virtues.

Sweden

LW Elias Pettersson (2017 Draft / Ranked No. 8)

Pettersson (pictured), who was one of two first-year eligibles Sweden brought to the Czech Republic, had a strong showing for a team that couldn’t bury a nickel in the proverbial mound of sand. The Swedes were well represented with NHL draftees (12 total), but the offense couldn’t get much going at even strength. Nevertheless, Pettersson displayed above-average quickness and a decent stride while darting into the areas where he knew the puck should go to. Defensively, he’s a gem who consistently covered up for wandering defensemen while keeping his head on a swivel and vacating only when it was prudent. There were times when we felt he purposely lulled opponents into thinking he wasn’t capable of doing anything exciting, only to blast through traffic with an explosive burst and puckhandling display. He made a heads-up play off a offensive-zone draw in the left circle to spot the open right point that led to a late tying goal in a 2-1 overtime win against the Czechs.

C Marcus Davidsson (2017 Draft / Ranked No. 23)

Davidsson is a dynamic player with lots of speed who for several reasons didn’t get much of an opportunity to display it. Relegated to the fourth line for most of the three games, he made the most of his time at even strength by displaying excellent awareness in his own end and winning the handful of defensive-zone draws he took. Like Pettersson, Davidsson covers the slot while his teammates release from crease-area responsibilities, and he’ll front his man while being wary of options either behind him or on the periphery. He also killed penalties, using solid footwork and quick bursts to smother the points and prevent defensemen from dumping it down low. Of course, Davidsson is known as an offensive threat, but when a team combines to score only three goals in three games, we’d be remiss if we didn’t focus on all aspects of a specific prospect’s game.

RHD Jacob Cederholm (WPG 4th/2016)

This was some of the best hockey we’ve seen the normally-reserved Cederholm play, and the lack of any big names on Sweden’s blue line may have had something to do with it. He’s always been a reliable defender from a positioning standpoint, and on occasion he’ll drop down into the circles for a chance or two. He was far more assertive and confident in Hodonin, using his long stride and puck control to initiate breakouts. The Swedes were trailing most of this tournament, so he was almost forced to play more aggressive. Cederholm made sound decisions regardless of whether he was faced with a wall of sticks and skates to his 12 o’clock, and his passing on the power play was both crisp and accurate.

Notes

Russia’s G Vladislav Sukhachov (2017/1998) was as technically perfect as one could be…Washington Capitals draftee G Ilya Samsonov (1st/2015) was barely tested in a 4-1 win over Sweden but his rebound control was spotty…Alexander Polunin obliterated the ankles of puck-gazing Swedish LHD Linus Nassen (FLA 3rd/2016) from the boards with a nifty head fake…LW Axel Jonsson-Fjalby (WSH 5th/2016) played in all three games as a depth player but was a non-factor…The smooth stride and swiftness of Finnish LW Emil Oksanen (2017 Draft / Ranked No. 55) was on display but it was otherwise one of his weaker tournaments…The Czech line of LW Jiri Karafiat, C Petr Kodytek and RW Daniel Kurovsky played a heavy game that resulted in several lengthy cycles and scoring chances…LW Jesper Bratt (NJD 6th/2016) tallied a game-winning goal in overtime for Sweden that was erroneously credited to LHD Kris Gunnarsson (2017/1997)…G Markus Ruusu (DAL 6th/2015) put the rebound of a bad angle shot right into the open far side for Lukas Andel to bury the tie-breaker late in the second of Finland’s 4-2 loss to the Czechs. It was Ruusu’s only appearance in the tournament.

North American Skaters | European Skaters | North American Goalies | European Goalies

1999 Central Scouting Bureau Final Rankings: NA Skaters

North American Skaters | European Skaters | North American Goalies | European Goalies

1999 Central Scouting Bureau Final Rankings: NA Goalies

North American Skaters | European Skaters | North American Goalies | European Goalies

1999 Central Scouting Bureau Final Rankings: EUR Skaters

North American Skaters | European Skaters | North American Goalies | European Goalies

1999 Central Scouting Bureau Final Rankings: EUR Goalies

North American Skaters | European Skaters | North American Goalies | European Goalies

2017 NHL Entry Draft

2016-17 OHL Preview

New OHL season features strong crop of prospects
Steve Kournianos  |  09/19/2016 |  New York  |  

Mississauga winger Owen Tippett is a top prospect for the 2017 NHL Draft

East Division

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: The Frontenacs may not showcase as prolific an offense as it did a year ago. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be exciting to watch. And while coming close to last season’s franchise-record 46 wins and 95 points likely is a bridge too far, Kingston can still boast a formidable lineup, even with anticipated losses like LW Michael Dal Colle (NYI), C Juho Lammikko (FLA) and RHD Roland McKeown (CAR), while top scorer RW Spencer Watson (LAK) is out until December recovering from wrist surgery. Not all news is bad, however, as mammoth G Jeremy Helvig (CAR) and powerful LW Lawson Crouse (ARI) return to lead a roster chock full of skill players. The Fronts have a slew of quality 2017 NHL Draft prospects, beginning with Finnish import RW Linus Nyman (Ranked No. 93) and LW Jason Robertson (Ranked No. 78). Nyman is an explosive player who can finish as well as he can create opportunities, while Robertson last year finished second in the league among 2017 first-year draft eligibles with 18 goals in 54 games. On defense, Kingston features three draft-eligible defenders with size – LHD Jacob Paquette (Ranked No. 39), RHD Eemeli Rasanen (Ranked No. 121) and LHD Jakob Brahaney (Ranked No. 264). Paquette is a cerebral positional defender who was named to Team Canada’s recent entry for the Ivan Hlinka but bowed out of the tournament because of a right arm injury.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: The good news is that Ottawa made the playoffs for the second straight season. The bad? The 67’s were knocked out of the first round in each of them, with last year’s five-game drubbing to Niagara revealing more mediocrity than promise. The 67’s will rely on young forwards like LW Travis Barron (COL) and 2017 draft prospect C Sasha Chmelevski (Ranked No. 44) to make up for the loss of super-scorers C Dante Salituro (CBJ) and LW Jeremiah Addison (MTL), the latter being traded to Windsor during the summer. LW Austen Keating (Ranked No. 73) is a highly-cerebral forward who was invited to Canada’s Hlinka camp, but you have to wonder if he’ll be the dynamic player he was prior to the concussion he sustained last season. Russian import RHD Andrei Golikov (Ranked No. 314) was the 67’s top pick (32^nd overall) in the 2016 CHL Import Draft and will add physicality, but don’t expect him to replace the big minutes of graduate LHD Stepan Falkovsky (CGY). In goal, G Leo Lazarev (2017 draft overager) is the incumbent, and replacing traded G Liam Herbst (Undrafted) with G Olivier Lafreniere likely translates into an increased work load for Lazarev.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: Expect the Petes to make some noise for several reasons, beginning with the expected return of scorers C Jonathan Ang (FLA) and C Stephen Lorentz (CAR), as well as leading defender RHD Matthew Spencer (TB). You have to figure the addition of Finnish RW Jonne Tammela (TB) and draft-eligible Czech RW Matyas Svoboda (Ranked No. 51), plus the maturation of C Zach Gallant (Ranked No. 247) will bolster a power play that let the Petes down a year ago. G Dylan Wells (EDM) heads into the season as Peterborough’s starter following G Matthew Mancina’s trade to Mississauga and should excpect to see anyhwere from 40-50 starts. And keep an eye on Russian puck wizard RW Pavel Gogolev (2018 Draft), who was the eighth overall pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: The Generals went from 2015 Memorial Cup champions and Canadian Hockey League darlings to near the bottom in quite a hurry, as no OHL team last season was hit by graduations as hard as they were. It didn’t help that star LW Michael Dal Colle (NYI) got off to a terrible start, prompting a midseason trade to Kingston. This season, Oshawa will rely on C Anthony Cirelli (TB) and C Domenic Commisso (2017 draft overager) to run the offense, with the arrival of Latvian draft prospect C Renars Krastenbergs (Ranked No. 177) and draft-eligible C Jack Studnicka (Ranked No. 87) forcing GM Roger Hunt to trade veteran faceoff specialist C Sam Harding (2017 draft overager) to Kingston. Slick puck mover LHD Mitchell Vander Sompel (NYI) leads a solid back end and will quarterback one of the OHL’s better power plays, and two-way LHD Riley Stillman (FLA) is a candidate for a breakout season. Youngster RW Robbie Burt (2017 draft eligible) likely assumes a depth role, while LW Daniil Antropov (2018 Draft) — a top pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection — is the son of former Toronto Maple Leaf Nikolai Antropov. The goaltending situation is quite clear, with returning starter G Jeremy Brodeur (2017 draft overager) looking to post another strong campaign.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: It was a rough first year for Hamilton, which not only failed to make the playoffs, but came up short in generating any sort of buzz in a demanding and passionate hockey market. That should change this season under new head coach John Gruden, who inherits essentially the same roster from last year, but one whose top-end talent is undeniable. The Bulldogs have a pair of outstanding two-way defenders in LHD Ben Gleason (2017 draft overager) and LHD Cole Candella (VAN), while hard-shooting and physical RHD Reilly Webb (2017 draft eligible) should expect a bigger role now that he’s recovered from an injury-plagued season. Up front, the top line of LW Matt Strome (Ranked No. 57), C Niki Petti (Undrafted) and RW Matt Luff (Draft eligible overager) should be one of the league’s best. Hamilton is one year better in terms of overall forward depth, with draft-eligible banger C Mackenzie Entwhistle (Ranked No. 89) and Slovakian C Marian Studenic (Ranked No. 36) both candidates for special teams play. Towering C Connor Roberts (2018 draft) — the third overall pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection — is still a little raw for an expanded role, but his size and skill makes the Bulldogs’ bottom-six all the more dangerous. Lastly, the club’s goaltending situation looks fine on paper, with G Connor Hicks (2017 draft overager) the starter and prospect G Kayden Flucher (Ranked No. 449) a solid option for backup.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

Central Division

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: Dale Hawerchuk’s rebuilding Colts were carried last season by 100-point seasons from veterans C Kevin Labanc (SJ) and LW Andrew Mangiapane (CGY), and stellar netminding from G Mackenzie Blackwood (NJD). All three, including offensive-minded RHD Rasmus Andersson (CGY) have moved on to greener pastures, leaving the team in the hands of younger, less experienced prospects. And while replicating another solid wire-to-wire season may seem like too tall of an order, that doesn’t mean they won’t look fun and fast in the process. The Colts’ strength will lie in their heady defense corps, led by draft-eligible overagers LHD Cameron Lizotte (2017 draft overager) and RHD Justin Murray (2017 draft overager), They added two highly-regarded 2017 draft prospects — Swedish LHD Tom Hedberg (Ranked No. 140), Ohio native RHD Joey Keane (Ranked No. 88) — and will look to puck mover LHD Kade Landry (2017 draft eligible) to provide some punch as a depth defender. Offense from the back end will be critical since the forward ranks were depleted, but Hawerchuk unloaded a bunch of picks for Russian sniper LW Kirill Nizhnikov (2018 Draft). And he may be listed at only 5’6, but LW Lucas Chiodo (Ranked No. 481) is one of their top playmakers, while C Kyle Heitzner (2017 draft eligible) is a late-round pick who had a strong preseason.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: The Battalion was served with a cold plate of revenge by Barrie via a convincing four-game sweep in the second round, leaving head coach Stan Butler with a bitter taste from not only an early-round exit, but the prospect of losing his four best players to graduation. C Mike Amadio (LAK), RW Matthew Santos (undrafted), RHD Kyle Wood (ARI) and G Jake Smith (undrafted) all moved on, leaving a void in terms of production and leadership. LHD Cam Dineen (ARI) — one of the CHL’s top scoring defenders last year — returns with some blue line help in the name of Swede RHD Adam Thilander (Ranked No. 64) and LHD Brady Lyle (Ranked No. 115). Butler has always employed a defense-oriented system, but the lack of quality scorers beyond LW Daniil Vertiy (Ranked No. 202) and RW Zach Poirier (2017 draft overager) will sting. Look for top prospect C Adam McMaster (2018 draft) to inch his way into the top six and provide the Battalion with a consistent effort. Replacing Smith in goal will not be easy, but G Brent Moran (DAL) was a capable backup who earned the starting nod.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: The Ice Dogs shocked the major junior circuit with a spirited run into the OHL Finals before bowing out to London’s blitzrieg, losing to the eventual Memorial Cup champions in four games. First-year coach Dave Bell has his work cut out for him, as there are key leaders to replace and new faces to familiarize with. Gone are NHL blue-chippers G Alex Nedeljkovic (CAR), RW Josh Ho-Sang (NYI), LW Brendan Perlini (ARI) and LHD Vince Dunn (STL), leaving G Stephen Dhillon (2017 draft overager) as a key cog in maintaining Niagara’s reputation as a tough team to score against. Two-way LW Graham Knott (CHI) is back and looking to taken advantage of a consistent top-line role, while imports C Pavel Dyomin (Ranked No. 138) and LW Ondrej Machala (Ranked No. 151) are two impressive offensive-minded forwards. C Ben Jones (Ranked No. 146) and C Akil Thomas (2018 Draft) are the Ice Dogs’ last two first round picks in the OHL Priority Selection who should challenge for a regular shift on what looks like an undernourished group of forwards. And RHD Hayden Davis (Ranked No. 242) is a complete prospect who will be groomed to become their top-pairing defender.
2017 First-year draft eligibles

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: No team personified mediocrity better than the Steelheads, who hovered at or near .500 from beginning to end before losing to Barrie in the first round. The results were somewhat shocking when you consider how they boasted a lineup with five 2016 NHL draft picks, including two lottery picks — RW Alex Nylander (BUF) and C Mike McLeod (NJD). In a perfect world, the aforementioned duo will return to join RW Nathan Bastian (NJD), LHD Sean Day (NYR) and LHD Austin Osmanski (BUF) and form not only an OHL title contender, but one for the Memorial Cup as well. Augmenting the 2016 draftees are two potential first rounders for 2017 — RW Owen Tippett (Ranked No. 15) and LHD Nicolas Hague (Ranked No. 24), and two European imports on defense in Finnish RHD Ville Saarijarvi (DET) and LHD Jacob Moverare (LAK). Mississauga addressed a void in goal by trading for G Matthew Mancina (Undrafted), and RW Ryan McLeod (2018 Draft) returns from a strong Ivan Hlinka tournament to add speed and skill to the bottom-six. On paper, the Steeleheads are undoubtedly the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. You have to wonder, however, if the amount of talent simply makes for a kitchen with too many cooks.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: The good thing about being a bottom feeder in the Ontario Hockey League is that sometimes time and experience are all it takes to gain respectability. Star players come and go with regularity, thus opening the door for struggling teams to attack that void and take a leap up the standings. Coach Dave Matsos has a young team on his hand  — only a third were born in 1997 or sooner — but you have to figure the Wolves are on the way up regardless. C David Levin (2018 Draft) is a dynamic scorer who looks ready to justify his selection as the OHL’s first overall pick in 2015, while RW Dmitri Sokolov (MIN) hopes to rebound from injuries that plagues his conditioning. Polish import LW Alan Lyszczarczyk (2017 draft overager) was their most consistent scorer, and look for physical LW Carson Macauley (2017 draft eligible) and speedy C Ben Garagan (2017 draft eligible) to help form a respectable third line.  The defense has promise, led by LHD Kyle Capobianco (ARI), who should anchor the top pairing and play in all critical situations. Youngster RHD Reagan O’Grady (Ranked No. 153) is a mature two-way defender, but look for a solid rookie season from RHD Owen Lalonde (2018 draft), a cerebral puck mover with an elite understanding of the game. Sudbury has uncertainty in goal following the trade of G Troy Timpano (2017 draft overager) to Erie, and it looks like G Zach Bowman (2017 draft overager) will be given the lion’s share of minutes.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

Midwest Division

OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: Erie is expected to bring back another powerhouse roster with or without star C Dylan Strome (ARI), so a fourth straight 50-win season is not out of the question. The Otters feature a deep group of forwards, beginning with diminutive RW Alex DeBrincat (CHI), who silenced prognosticators with his second straight 50-goal season while leading his club to the OHL’s regular season crown. Rugged power forward LW Taylor Raddysh (TB) rejoins DeBrincat on the first line, and look for Russian import and 2017 draft prospect C German Poddubyi (Ranked No. 157) to compete for the top center slot. RW/LW Ivan Lodnia (Ranked No. 71) was one of the OHL’s top rookie scorers last season and had a solid Ivan Hlinka tournament for the United States, and RW Kyle Maksimovich (2017 draft overager) and C/W Brett Neumann (Ranked No. 353) are two undersized skill forwards whose versatility likely lands them into the top six. The back line took a hit with the departure of puck mover LHD Travis Dermott (TOR), and there’s a slim chance physical two-way RHD Erik Cernak (LAK) returns. That leaves overagers LHD T.J. Fergus (2017 draft eligible) and RHD Darren Raddysh (undrafted) to steer a lunchpail group that lacks a legitimate difference maker. In goal, newly-acquired G Troy Timpano (2017 draft overager) will need to outplay G Jake Lawr (2017 draft overager) for a starting nod that is still up for grabs.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: It was a dream season for London in terms of both team and individual accomplishment, as its Memorial Cup victory was immediately followed by an NHL Draft that saw seven players selected from its roster – including three in the first round. Led by a trio of star forwards – C Christian Dvorak (ARI), LW Matt Tkachuk (CGY) and RW Mitch Marner (TOR) – the Knights scored a league-best 319 goals, which was the most by a London team since 1985-86. And while it’s likely all three begin the season with their respective NHL clubs, London was able to do what it always seems to accomplish – lure top end talent to keep the machine chugging. Expect two forwards – LW Max Jones (ARI) and C Cliff Pu (BUF) – to shine in expanded roles the way they did last year while the Knights’ top players participated in the world junior championship. Adding Finnish playmaker C Janne Kuokkanen (CAR) will soothe the sting of losing an elite set-up man like Dvorak, and 2017 draft-eligibles C Robert Thomas (Ranked No. 178) and LW Alex Formenton are two promising forwards who may have earned their way into the top nine. A defense that allowed a league-low 182 goals-against remains formidable with or without LHD Olli Juolevi (VAN), who was the fifth pick in the NHL Draft and another candidate to begin the campaign elsewhere. LHD Victor Mete (MTL) is capable of leading the rush and running the power play, while rookie LHD Ian Blacker (Ranked No. 69) and LHD Jacob Golden (2017 first-year eligible) are two prospects who could see their roles expand as the season progresses. G Tyler Parsons (CGY) will return following a remarkable season and should be considered the early-season favorite to win the OHL’s top goalie award.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: Kitchener managed to distinguish itself while playing in the OHL’s toughest division, ranking in the top five in both offense and defense, and finishing fourth overall with 95 points. And while they were a notch below Midwest powerhouses London and Erie, the Rangers made a habit of lighting up the scoreboard with an entertaining brand of hockey. Yes, center depth is thin following the graduation of captain C Ryan MacInnis (ARI) and C Gustaf Franzen’s departure for Sweden, leaving LW Adam Mascherin (FLA) as the linchpin on offense. But the Rangers may get slick LW Jeremy Bracco (TOR), plus expanded roles for C Connor Bunnaman (PHI) and LW Mason Kohn (2017 draft overager). The forward ranks will receive an injection of youth, beginning with speedy C Greg Meirless (Ranked No. 116) and German import C Cedric Schiemenz (Ranked No. 334). The flanks feature prospects LW Dylan Seitz (Ranked No. 360) and LW Nick McHugh (Ranked. No. 351), as well as undersized playmaker RW Joseph Garrefa (Ranked No. 308). The defense is an area a strength for rookie head coach Jay McKee – a defenseman himself during a lengthy NHL career. LHD Connor Hall (PIT) is capable of all the tough assignments, and lightning-quick puck mover LHD Elijah Roberts (Ranked No. 61) will be asked to run the power play along with heralded rookie LHD Giovanni Vallati (2018 Draft). Veteran G Dawson Carty (Undrafted) will take over as the Rangers’ top netminder while G Luke Opilka (STL) is out following hip surgery.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: The Attack deserve credit for not only giving the eventual-champion London Knights their toughest series of the playoffs, but for also finishing with a respectable record in what many considered the best division in major junior hockey. And while the Attack is not ready to surpass the Eries, Londons and Kitcheners of the world, they will feature a competitive, balanced lineup that may end up surprising people. In goal, G Michael McNiven (MTL) returns to provide Owen Sound with consistency and the ability to steal games. The blue line is another area of strength for second-year head coach Ryan McGill, who will lean on NHL draftees RHD Thomas Schemitsch (FLA) and LHD Jacob Friend (LAK), while grooming 2017 draft prospects LHD Markus Phillips (Ranked No. 82) and RHD Sean Durzi (Ranked No. 292) to handle the puck-rushing responsibilities when the veterans need support. Up front, C Nick Suzuki (Ranked No. 26) is a dynamic playmaker who last year was one of the CHL’s top 1999-born players, and LW Jonah Gadjovich (Ranked No. 193) will be counted on to take some heat off of top goal scorer RW Petrus Palmu (2017 draft overager).

2017 First-year draft eligibles

OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: The Storm didn’t make the sweeping changes one would expect on the heels of a horrendous campaign in which it finished at or near the bottom of every major statistical category. Guelph is bringing back an almost identical roster to the one that won only one of its first 14 games in 2015-16, and it remains to be seen whether last year’s debacle will count as legitimate development time. Still, the Storm bring in Russian LHD Dmitri Samorukov (Ranked No. 17), one of the 2017 draft’s top defense prospects and a physical blueliner capable of providing stability. He’ll be a nice compliment to puck mover LHD Garrett McFadden (2017 draft overager), whose puck skills get overlooked since he plays for a doormat. They’ve already welcomed RHD Ryan Merkley (2018 Draft) – the top pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection and a high-profile prospect to look out for even if he’s still growing into his frame. Guelph’s weakness lies within the forward lines, with rugged RW Givani Smith (DET) its only game changer. C Albert Michnac (Ranked No. 304), a finesse player who was the Storm’s second import pick from last year, should get a long look in the top six, and massive LW Isaac Ratcliffe (Ranked No. 50) is a low-slot option for a power play that has to improve. Guelph’s acquisition of G Liam Herbst (Undrafted) gives them stability in the crease and is capable of stealing a game every now and then.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

West Division

OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: It’s tough to call Sarnia’s 91-point season disappointing, but that’s what happens when you lose in the first round to a rebuilding Sault Ste Marie club. Whatever the Sting was during the regular season — structured, disciplined and clutch — disappeared come playoff time. Replacing C Pavel Zacha (NJD) won’t be easy, but the return of stars RW Travis Konecny (PHI) and RW Jordan Kyrou (STL) in addition to two European standouts in C Adam Ruzicka (Ranked No. 15) and LW Filip Helt (STL) should create serious matchup problems for opposing coaches. C Anthony Salinitri (PHI) is poised for a breakout season playing alongside LW Ryan McGregor (Ranked No. 126). And keep an eye on Finnish LW Louis Latta (2017 draft overager), who was Sarnia’s second rounder in the 2015 CHL Import Draft. The defense is led by none other than all-world LHD Jakob Chychrun (ARI), who is looking at his second straight season logging close to 30 minutes a game. The goaltending situation is tenable for now, with G Aiden Hughes (Ranked No. 312) and G Justin Fazio (2017 draft overager) likely sharing the workload.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: The Spitfires were an interesting team in that they featured some of the OHL’s best talent but silently fizzled out in a short postseason. Three Spits – LHD Mikhail Sergachev (MTL), C Logan Brown (OTT) and LHD Logan Stanley (WPG) – were picked in the top 20 of last June’s NHL Draft, while RW Christian Fischer (ARI) reached the 90-point mark in his first OHL season. And though there’s a fighter’s chance all four return for this coming season, the onus will be on Windsor’s depth players to carry their own weight if they are to challenge for a league title. Remember, the Spits are hosting the 2017 Memorial Cup, which will serve as the perfect opportunity for stud 2017 draft prospect C Gabe Vilardi (Ranked No. 11) to showcase his combination of size and skill. Inconsistent play in between the pipes was s big reason for their first round ouster, but G Michael Dipietro (Ranked No. 67) is one of the better draft-eligible goalies in the Canadian Hockey League. Another youngster who showed maturity and promise is LW Luke Boka (Ranked No. 154), a hard-nosed winger who plays a two-way game but is ready for a look in the top nine.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: Expectations in Sault Ste Marie at the beginning of last season were tempered following a mass exodus of talent. But a 36-point drop in the standings was harsher than most predicted. Still, the Greyhounds battled through some early-season chemistry issues to not only sneak into the playoffs, but pull off an opening-round victory over favored Sarnia. Fans will want to see a little more from this year’s club, which returns several key pieces, especially up front. LW Boris Katchouk (TB) and RW Jack Kopacka (ANA) remain critical to the offense now that RW Zach Senyshyn (BOS) is a strong candidate to begin the season in Boston. Look for power forward RW Tim Gettinger (NYR) as a possible top-line replacement, with additional goal-scoring support coming from 2017 draft eligibles C/W Liam Frost (Ranked No. 58) and C Liam Hawel (Ranked No. 257). The Soo also added Finnish playmaker C Otto Makinen (2017 draft overager), who was a mainstay for Finland’s U18 team. The defense has an experienced blueliner in LHD Colton White (NJD) and a possible returnee in RHD Gustav Bouramman (MIN), although the latter is entertaining a return to his native Sweden. A contingency would be to entrust a trio of newbies – LHD Anthony DeMeo (Ranked No. 135), RHD Conor Timmins (Ranked No. 266) and RHD Mac Hollowell (Ranked No. 273) – all of whom are quality rearguards capable of providing offense. Replacing the puck-handling abilities of graduate G Brandon Halverson (NYR) won’t be easy, but G Joseph Raaymakers (2017 draft overager) is ready to assume the starting role.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

 OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: Saginaw returns an experienced lineup, specifically a defense corps that was bolstered by the addition of Czech RHD Filip Hronek (DET), who was a standout at last year’s world junior championship. He joins fellow 2016 draftees LHD Markus Niemelainen (EDM) and LHD Keaton Middleton (TOR) – two gargantuan one-on-one defenders who can shut down opposing top lines. Another 2016 draftee who will play a critical role is G Evan Cormier (NJD), a 6’3 butterfly netminder who some feel hasn’t shown the OHL what he’s truly capable of. The Spirit will need a consistent season from speedy C Tye Felhaber (2017 draft overager) whose disastrous first half likely prevented him from getting drafted, while C Mitchell Stephens (TB) is their best player who missed a chunk of time last year with an injury. A trio of 2017 draft eligibles – C Brady Gilmour (Ranked No. 91), RW Cole Coskey (Ranked No. 155) and RW Kirill Maksimov (Ranked No. 156) are all candidates for the top six.

2017 First-year draft eligibles

OHL Rank (2015-16)

Outlook: The Firebirds seemed to be in the news for all the wrong reasons, most of which had nothing to do with the product on the ice. With the highly-publicized rift between ownership and the coaching staff seemingly behind them, the Firebirds can focus on improving the dreadful record they finished with in their inaugural OHL season. Yes, rookie head coach Ryan Oulahen is faced with the reality that top player C Will Bitten (MTL) wants to play elsewhere. Yes, top defender RHD Ville Saarijarvi (DET) got his wish and was traded to Mississauga. And no, top OHL prospect LHD Ty Dellandrea (2018 Draft) isn’t quite ready to save the fledgling franchise on his own. As cliché as it sounds, the Firebirds will need a complete team effort in order to see improvement in the standings. The addition of mobile Czech RHD Michal Steinocher (2018 Draft) — the eight pick in this year’s Import Draft – and Detroit-raised puckmover LHD Jalen Smerek (2017 draft overager) gives Oulahen options to improve what was an ineffective power play. And he’ll likely lean on RW Nicholas Caamano (DAL) and a slimmed-down LW Luke Kirwan (2017 draft overager) to make up for the loss of Bitten’s goal scoring. The goaltending situation is untenable, as neither G Matthew Menna (2017 draft overager) nor G Garrett Forrest (2017 draft overager) are capable of carrying a team for an entire season. If Bitten is moved, it would be folly for the Firebirds to not receive a reliable netminder in return.

2017 NHL Entry Draft

2016 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game Preview

America’s top draft hopefuls converge on Philadelphia
Steve Kournianos  |  09/21/2016 |  New York  |  

Thursday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m. ET

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

www.allamericanprospectsgame.com

Pre-game notes

Streams: www.FastHockey.com / www.allamericanprospectsgame.com

Team Leclair