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It’s a great time in the scouting world to hone in on top prospects around the world. ‘Tis the season for the World Junior Championship and, for players not performing internationally, the grind of the pre-holiday schedule makes for important viewings.
Are players still at their best, with their eye on the prize, present in the moment with their respective teams? Or are they vacant, and anxiously anticipating a trip home?
Are players able to adjust to the absence of their high-end teammates who’ve been invited to participate internationally? Which players are better served by the upcoming break, where a reset is necessary for second half success? These are some of the things being pondered by scouts as we move into the holiday season.
For a host of other players who are talented enough to take advantage of the opportunity to play internationally, how are they able to adjust to a role that’s different from the one they play with their club team? How are they able to adapt to playing with an entire lineup of better players? How quickly are they able to digest a slightly different system than what they normally play? Which players self-identify their greatest strengths in order to help their national teams? Each circumstance provides context for scouts to add content to their growing books on players.
The two key international events at this time of year are the world juniors and the World Junior A Challenge.
In terms of personnel, this draft class features a number of interesting defencemen. We have those with size who offer up two-way ability, such as Artem Levshunov. We have the dynamic, smaller puck-movers such as Zayne Parekh, and then there’s the complementary, stay-at-home types similar to Ben Danford.
The forward group in this class offers diversity in play as well. Macklin Celebrini is the head of the dual threat group, where he can impact the game in a number of ways, either by goal-scoring or through his elite playmaking. Cole Eiserman is the class’ elite goal-scorer, while Ivan Demidov leans to the playmaking side of things. We do also have a few forwards with the size and skill combination that has potential to shake up the early part of the draft. Think Cayden Lindstrom or Liam Greentree.
Moving forward, we’ll be keeping an eye on two prospects games in January.
The All-American game features the USNTDP roster and a number of high-end players from the USHL, and will take place on Jan. 15 in Plymouth, MI. Meanwhile, the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game goes Jan. 24 in Moncton, NB. The CHL game rosters will be announced Dec. 19, while the All-American game roster announcement date hasn’t been determined.
Now to the latest rankings…
1. Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA): Should be leaned on quite heavily by Canada at the world juniors, which is a huge responsibility for a draft eligible player.
2. Cole Eiserman, LW, USNTDP: Disappointment of not being named to USA Hockey’s world junior selection camp should motivate him and set his sights on hunting the program’s goal-scoring mark.
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3. Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL): Back in action since the 20th of November and tearing up the MHL with a nine-game point streak since his return.
4. Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo (KHL): In a seven-defencemen system his ice-time has dipped in the past couple games, but overall he’s still getting ample opportunity, including first unit PP time.
5. Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State University (NCAA): High end offensive instincts allow him to play an effective transitional game that has resulted in point-per-game production.
6. Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights (OHL): Has matched his point total from a year ago in half the number of games played.
7. Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit (Liiga): Uses the same quick-strike mentality to hunt pucks as he does when he has the puck to produce offence.
8. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL): Projects as a complete package player in a 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame that still has room to grow.
9. Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL): Brings a number of elements to the table that teams will appreciate besides the obvious ability to produce offence.
10. Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL): Production has slowed, but there’s plenty of currency and recent history to project the dip won’t last long.
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11. Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit (OHL): The puck follows him around, which is not a phrase typically associated with defencemen.
12. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (Allsvenskan): Plays with detail in his game that will allow him to be an effective player up and down the lineup.
13. Adam Jiricek, D, HC Plzen (Extraliiga): The world juniors will offer a perfect stage for him to reclaim the game we saw as an underager.
14. Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (Liiga): Even when goalies know it’s coming they still have trouble handling his quick release. Looks effortless, but gets a ton on his shot.
15. Henry Mews, D, Ottawa 67’s (OHL): Wants the puck on his stick in all situations and can make plays with it. Has good glide to his game and can skate for days.
16. Igor Chernyshov, LW, Moscow Dynamo (MHL): Has the hands and agility to create space and, when that fails, he can make his own space by utilizing a power game.
17. Trevor Connelly, C, Tri-City Storm (USHL): Definitely has a dynamic element to his game that will help drive play and produce points. Will have to build on his 6-foot-1, 156-pound frame.
18. Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL): Top-notch puck handler who can dazzle with creativity and finish with flash.
19. Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL): While there may be some challenges defensively, there’s no denying his ability to produce offence with a deadly shot as his main weapon.
20. Zeev Buium, D, Denver (NCAA): As the year has progressed so has the offence in his game, but at the cost of being a less effective two-way defender.
21. Liam Greentree, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL): Coachable player with good habits to go along with the skill to be a difference maker in the top part of any lineup.
22. Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga): Suffering a serious injury in your draft year — as Kiviharju has — and still being selected in the first round is not unprecedented.
23. Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna Rockets (WHL): Meteoric rise up the rankings continues for Jarome’s son. Possesses many of the same traits that made his dad a Hall of Famer.
24. Andrew Basha, LW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL): Dynamic player who can get up the ice in a flash while handling the puck flawlessly. Scores with a lightning quick release, but has excellent vision as well.
25. Matvei Shuravin, D, CSKA (MHL): A month-long trial in the KHL produced mixed results with limited ice time. Dominates at the MHL level, but how much weight can you put on that?
26. Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL): Has been steady, but hasn’t spiked the needle at any one point in the season. He does have the advantages of size (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) and shooting from the right side.
27. Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL): While an offensive spike was projected this season, it hasn’t quite gone that way. Having said that, there’s plenty of responsibility and work ethic to compensate.
28. Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL): Early November swoon is in the rear view mirror. Has great knowledge of where to go around the net and when to get there.
29. Cole Hutson, D, USNTDP: Has a great understanding of time and space and how to utilize both elements at both ends of the ice.
30. Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s (PHC): Will take the school holiday break to play a few games with USHL Sioux Falls.
31. Ben Danford, D, Oshawa Generals (OHL): Competes hard and makes plays. A 17-year-old who’s already wearing a letter on a young Generals team.
32. Anthony Cristoforo, D, Windsor Spitfires (OHL): Tough to project what he might be at the next level, but he has a great brain and solid work ethic. Was underrated entering the OHL and will likely have that same label attached to him to begin his NHL career.
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