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

Team Howe

2016 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game

West Coast Wonder

California’s McManus nets three points as Team Leclair rolls
Steve Kournianos  |  09/22/2016 |  New York  |  

Box score | Line Charts | Game Notes

PHILADELPHIA (The Draft Analyst) – Brannon McManus registered a goal and two assists and Vanya Lodnia scored the go-ahead goal off a 2-on-1 break in the third period as Team Leclair downed Team Howe 6-4 at the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game.

McManus, a standout for the USHL’s Omaha Lancers, increased his value as a draft prospect yesterday with a solid effort in all three zones. He set up defenseman Nate Knoepke’s hard wrist shot from the point that eluded Team Howe goalie Adam Scheel to give Team Leclair a 2-1 lead early in the first period. McManus added another primary assist when his backhand pass in the low slot found a wide-open Sasha Chmelevski, who wired a shot up and over Scheel to put Team Leclair up 3-1 early in the second period.

The California native capped the scoring late in the third period by finishing off a 2-on-1 rush with a wrist shot just under the crossbar.

Casey Mittelstadt, one of nine Minnesotans to participate in this year’s event and a likely lottery pick in next June’s NHL Draft, scored a pair of goals for Team Howe and was named the game’s top player. The early-season showcase featured 40 of the top American-born prospects, most who will be selected in the draft’s early rounds.

Team Howe rallied behind Mittelstadt, who got them on the board in the first period with a tap-in off a beautiful cross-ice feed from Kailer Yamamoto, the top scorer for Spokane in the Western Hockey League. In the second period, Mittelstadt was credited with a goal off a goal-mouth scramble with only 17 seconds remaining, knotting the score 3-3. Mittelstadt and McManus were two of six participants with a college commitment to the University of Minnesota.

Wingers Grant Mismash and Logan Hutsko each had a goal for the Leclair squad, and defenseman Tyler Inamoto chipped in with two assists. All three play for the United States National Team Development Program. Cayden Primeau and Jake Oettinger split the goaltending duties for Team Leclair, stopping 17 and 12 shots, respectively.

Logan Cockerill and Jason Robertson each tallied for Team Howe, and Yamamoto notched a pair of assists. Scheel stopped four of seven shots, and Keith Petruzelli made 11 saves in defeat.

Player Notes

Team Leclair

G Cayden Primeau: Primeau was pretty sharp in nets for Team Leclair, displaying solid side-to-side quickness and impeccable rebound control. In fact, Primeau barely surrendered any rebounds period, as he gobbled up dangerous changes from in close. The kid looks like he has a strong relationship with his posts — he takes care of them and they take care of him. Primeau was the best of the four goaltenders who participated.

G Jake Oettinger: Oettinger did everything right except put his rebounds where they were supposed to go. He’s a top-end goaltending prospect and likely gets picked pretty high in the draft. But he’s not going to always have elite defensemen playing in front of him to clear up the gifts he leaves in the slot. To be fair, he’s proven to control them in previous games. He just needs to be more consistent.

LW Grant Mishmash: Mismash was his typical self, finding his way into scoring areas and getting a handful of pucks on net. He opened the scoring by whipping a loose puck from the slot past Adam Scheel. Mismash played on the top line but didn’t get top-line minutes, if that makes any sense. He was one of several players who came within a hair from connecting on a nice play.

C Ryan Poehling: A lot of eyes were on the big Minnesotan, who used a dominant Hlinka to springboard into the top 30 of our initial 2017 draft rankings. He was the nominal top-line center for Team Howe, and on occasion displayed his ridiculous puck control that ranks him among the best of any draft eligible. He picked up an assist on Mishmash’s goal but it was a busted play off a blocked shot. He didn’t do well on the few faceoffs he took but positioning himself properly and used his long reach to break up passes for a counterattack. Poehling has an excellent shot but tried to be more of a passer in this one.

RW Logan Hutsko: Hutsko is a crafty player with very good vision. He liked to stop on a dime and look for trailers after entering the zone, and his passes were hard and accurate. He displayed speed and a nice set of hands by creating a 2-on-1 and batting home his own blocked pass. Hutsko was one of Team Leclair’s consistent shift-to-shift performers.

LW Jacob Tortora: Tortora was flying both inside and out, using a change of pace to give himself an extra bit of room. The puck was on his stick a lot, and he properly identified the open point man rather than dump it behind the net. The timing of his lead passes were off by a nose, but you can say that for more than half a roster that was understandably fighting through chemistry issues.

C Sasha Chmelevski: Chmelevski had a strong game, enhancing his reputation as a kid who doesn’t choke on quality chances. This kid is a finisher and does so with authority, and you can see why it stung Sarnia to trade him to Ottawa, even if Travis Konecny was the returning piece. Chmelevski slipped away from detection quite a few times (his on-ice awareness is impeccable) and with that shot and finishing abilities, you wonder if he’s better suited at wing.

RW Vanya Lodnia: Lodnia has a cannon of a shot, which probably explains why he led Team Leclair with five shots on goal.  On one shift in particular, he found a way to take the puck up ice with authority and fire a shot on net despite spending the majority of the shift in his own end. He blew past Max Gildon for a 2-on-1 break, then slowed it down as he neared the slot before firing a wicked shot past a helpless Keith Petruzelli for the go-ahead marker in the third.

LW Kyle MacLean: A hard-working kid from nearby Basking Ridge, NJ, MacLean was strong on the puck and played fearless. He didn’t have an issue getting his nose dirty and lending support to beleaguered linemates during board battles, and he has the confidence to escape from a scrum in his own end and power the puck up the ice. He’s a lot more creative than you’d think and had a couple of chances near the net.

C Evan Barratt: Barratt is a two-way forward who is generally reliable in his own end. He made up for a rough night at the dot (1-9) by getting in the way of shots and legally picking off either his man or someone else’s after the puck dropped. His best chance came off a gorgeous set up from linemate Sean Dhooghe, who fed Barratt for a hard one-timer from the slot that forced Petruzzelli to make a tough shoulder save.

RW Sean Dhooghe: Dhooghe was the most exciting player to watch of either team from the moment the puck dropped to the final whistle. He has all the tools – speed for days, elite vision and a sixth sense for finding open ice. There was one play where he turned a 1-on-4 situation into an actual scoring chance. Dhooghe is bad for an opposing coach’s health, and his dizzying speed and shifting of gears makes him difficult to contain. And while a lot of players can skate, dangle and dish, only a few can break down and visualize the game the way Dhooghe can.

LW Austin Pratt: Pratt played well within what seemed like a defensive role, assuming a position on one of the penalty killing units and finding himself with a lot of defensive zone starts. We always viewed Pratt as a shooter, but he displayed puck control and stickhandling while curling around pressure. He’s a big boy, and defenders struggled getting in front of him.

C Mark Kastelic: Kastelic had a fine game defensively and looked like a real shutdown center. He’s very strong on the puck and difficult to contain without it. Kastelic went 7-2 on draws and didn’t allow his man to get open, and was a fierce competitor while battling for pucks in the low slot and along the boards.

RW Brannon McManus: McManus did everything for Team Leclair – play on the both special teams units, set up goals and even buried one himself. Both of his assists could be considered broken plays, but good things happen the more you have the puck. McManus has an excellent shot, and he transitioned after his sixth or seventh shift from looking to pass to firing it on net with confidence. He knows how to make room for himself and create his own shot, and the hustle he displayed without the puck shows he’s more than just a point producer.

LHD Mikey Anderson: Anderson handled the puck a ton and grew confident as the minutes ticked down. All you see on his stat line is a “+1”, but his defensive-zone play was critical towards limiting the amount of chances his goalies faced. He made mistakes like everyone else, but his ability to recover from them in the form of positioning is what stood out most. Anderson has a very good shot but had his attempts blocked.

RHD Phil Kemp: Kemp is a no-nonsense shutdown defender who looks like he improved his footwork in the offseason. The game was tightly checked, and a big kid like Kemp is one of the reasons why. He didn’t give puck carriers any room, and if he did, he closed on and eliminated them rather quickly. You’re not going to get much offense from him, but he gets kudos for contributing in other aspects.

LHD Nate Knoepke: Knoepke had the best game of any defender, playing with savvy and making the right choices. He scored a goal with a laser of a wrist shot from just inside the blue line, but also showed he can pass the puck with both accuracy and authority from distances beyond center ice. Knoepke loves to shoot the puck – he was credited with only one shot but had several attempts — and will send the puck towards the net immediately after a teammate was open for a tip-in attempt.

RHD Reilly Walsh: There aren’t many defenders who can move their feet as well as Walsh, and it served him well when evading forecheckers and moving laterally for a shooting lane to open. Walsh has very good closing speed and showed he’s not risk averse by dashing up the ice and filling into the gap below the opposing circles. He’s a very good stickhandler and finds the open man without hesitation, but he was a little loosey-goosey with his gap and reaction to plays in front of the net.

LHD Tyler Inamoto: We liked that Inamoto played the AAPG as if it were a Game 7, throwing his body around and busting it on every shift. He’s a very good skater who made precision plays inside his own end, and he played his odd-man rushes perfectly. Inamoto had a slight malfunction when a blown tire deep in the offensive zone almost led to a break the other way, but he recovered in time to seal it off.

RHD Ronald Brickey: Brickey played in a lot of defensive-zone situations and was utilized for the penalty kill. He was partnered with swift puck mover Jack Rathbone, and the pair seemed to have chemistry while moving the puck past the forecheck. There was one lengthy shift when he was trapped in his own end for a while, but he stayed with his man and didn’t retaliate to some vicious crosschecks before moving the puck to safety.

LHD Jack Rathbone: We wanted him to have more of an opportunity to shine – there just wasn’t enough ice for him in this one. Rathbone is very crafty, from using the boards for a clean bank passes to a hard, crisp head man to split the zone coverage. He was used on the penalty kill with effectiveness and bailed out his forwards when they made rash decisions with the puck near his own blue line.

Team Howe

G Adam Scheel: Scheel didn’t face many shots, but he was burned by a stoppable shot by Mismash in the first period and later whiffed on a deep wrister from Knoepke. He was slow to react to Chmelevski’s marker from the right circle in the second period but seemed to settle down thereafter. It was tough to evaluate him on his puck-stopping abilities because he wasn’t all that busy.

G Keith Petruzelli: Petruzelli displayed nice form and control of his rebounds, but he melted down in the third period by allowing goals on three separate 2-on-1s – all from the shooter side. He’s too big of a kid to get beat up high with regularity, so challenging the shooter while fine-tuning his net presence may help him in the long run. His puck handling, however, seemed to improve.

LW Patrick Khoderenko: Khoderenko had one heck of a game defending his own end and covering up for his linemates’ up-ice antics. Not bad for a player who is expected to dominate offensively. He has the speed and strength to meet the challenge of knocking big wingers off the puck, and there were several rushes up the ice when the defender seemed reluctant to physically challenge him.

C Casey Mittelstadt : Chalk up another solid high-profile event to this top prospect’s resume, as the future Minnesota Golder Gopher scored twice while showcasing a speed-power combo that gave fits to the opposing team. His game is reminiscent of a young Rick Nash, but one who looks quite comfortable at center – Mittelstadt was dominant at the dot, winning 12 of 14 draws.

RW Kailer Yamamoto : Yamamoto is an offensive force who looks to create quality scoring chances every shift. A byproduct of this mindset is overpassing, and what you get is a feast-or-famine result – Yamamoto picked up a pair of assists but tried to force things into the middle of the ice with opposing checkers on the prowl. Nonetheless, his chemistry with Mittelstadt cannot be denied. The former U18 teammates picked up right where they left off in April.

LW Logan Cockerill : One of the fastest players on the ice, Cockerill played fearless while making every shift memorable. He was credited with a goal in the third period after bombing down the wing into the goal which forced the puck across the line. Cockerill also played on the penalty kill and pressed the point men rather than afford them the chance to shoot. His own shot is slightly above average but accurate.

C Michael Pastujov: Pastujov is coming off a dominant Hlinka where he was a scoring-chance machine, but his game in Philadelphia was somewhat quiet. He played the body quite a few times and came an inch or two from a couple of easy tap-ins.

RW Cole Coskey: Coskey had a solid game identifying and connecting with the open man and maintaining control of the puck while sticks were swatting all around him. He came close to linking up with Pastujov for quality chances near the slot, but seemed content with Logan Cockerill handling the puck as often as he could.

LW Jason Robertson: Robertson is a sniper who lived up to his billing, firing off a team-high five shots and scoring a goal off a rebound in front of the net. He’s a big kid with deceptive speed who fired off shots before an opposing stick was there to alter it. He too was guilty of fooling around with the puck at his own blue line, albeit on just a shift or two. He made up for it, however, with a gorgeous behind-the-back pass from the far boards that sprung Josh Norris for a breakaway attempt.

C Josh Norris: Norris has a reputation of being a top two-way forward, and you saw glimpses of it in Philadelphia. He has a strong grasp of play development and seems to know exactly where the puck will move next. Norris has enough quickness to appear out of nowhere and turn what seems like a harmless cross-ice feed into a counterattack going the other way. He picked up an assist after he made a nice give-and-go with Jason Robertson for his goal at the side of the net.

RW Scott Reedy: Reedy plays a heavy game, and this game’s in-your-face style seemed to suit him. He’s a load to handle and almost impossible to thwart when he has his feet moving forward, but the five-man collapse within the defensive zone coupled with the quality of one-on-one defenders limited him to a secondary assist. It was a curious decision to see Reedy flank center Josh Norris, as both are competing for the NTDP’s top line pivot slot. He caused havoc in the crease to free up Robertson for a goal in the second period, and the meanness to his style is something we can get used to.

LW Mick Messner: Go figure. The kid who keeps getting depth roles during high-profile events yet again finds a way to stand out. Messner is a coach’s dream, hustling in all three zone and using his speed and awareness to pick passes off and quickly head the other way. Placing a player in a defensive role takes on a new meaning when said player not only does it at a high level, but counters with offense as well. Messner, who was Team USA’s defensive specialist extraordinaire at the Hlinka, had three shots and a well-earned assist on Mittlestadt’s tying tally late in the second period, controlling the puck while falling off to the side of the net before sending it in front for Mittelstadt to bury.

C R.J. Murphy: Murphy centered Team Howe’s “energy line” with Messner and Matt Miller on the flanks. The trio consistently put pressure on the opposing defensemen and didn’t give the forwards much room in the neutral zone. Murphy is a solid stickhandler who didn’t panic with the puck, and even had a shift where he had both a quality scoring chance and a set-up.

RW Matt Miller: Smart and energetic is the best way to describe the way Miller played, as he was always positioned properly thanks to quick feet and direct routes towards the areas he needed to be in. He will make a fine penalty killer at higher levels.

LHD David Farrance: It was a joy to watch this smooth-skating New Yorker effortlessly carry the puck in and around checkers, and it’s a shame there wasn’t much room for him to show his true abilities. Farrance has a quick first step but knows when it’s time to slow it down and reassess his options.

RHD Luke Martin: Martin is a sound positional defender who displayed a hard wrist shot and quick feet when racing to the wall to keep pucks in the offensive zone. He was very good positionally, even when he correctly covered his man near the crease when an open Chmelevski fired one home from the right circle. Martin didn’t have it easy, as he was constantly reacting to the risky passes being made in the middle of the ice by the Mittelstadt line. He even won the majority of his footraces to the puck.

LHD Ben Mirageas: This is one elusive cat who plays calm and makes smart plays. Mirageas is an offensive defenseman with very good mobility, but his calmness and soft touch helped him slip passes around or under pressure before joining the rush. Forecheckers had a tough time rattling him, and he furnished a hard, accurate shot. He was paired with the bigger Max Gildon, who seemed comfortable deferring the breakouts to Mirageas.

LHD Max Gildon: Gildon has a lot of tools at his disposal and displayed them on occasions. He played it safe for the first half of the game, showing little creativity when he took the puck up the ice and across the red line. He struggled to contain Vanya Lodnia for a tie-breaking goal early in the third period. Gildon didn’t have a bad game — he broke up dozens of plays in the low slot and released properly when chasing puck carriers down low.

RHD John Maniscalco: A local kid with the crowd to support him, Maniscalco looked quite comfortable and poised for a teenager playing on his favorite team’s rink. He was fine handling the puck and didn’t buckle under pressure, using the boards to lead teammates into the zone and spinning away from forecheckers before taking it up the ice himself. Maniscalco has soft hands to deaden tough passes and is not afraid to drop down into the circles.

RHD Tommy Miller: Miller’s noticeable asset is skating, which he used to break free from forwards and increase the likelihood of an odd-man attack. He has an extremely long reach as well, and he knocked forwards off the puck with a simple shove. Miller is capable of creativity and is confident with the puck, reminiscent of former NTDP’er and current New York Rangers prospect Brady Skjei. With his size, speed and IQ, something tells me he will be a fast riser.

LHD Clayton Phillips: Phillips displayed his swift-skating abilities while quarterbacking one of the power play units and made timely step-ups to break up oncoming rushes. He used his stick with purpose, swatting away pucks as attackers neared the low slot. He looked comfortable for one of the youngest players of either side — Phiilps missed eligibility for the 2018 draft by just seven days. He wasn’t physical, but allowing the bigger forwards some room didn’t hurt him as he kept them to the outside.

2017 NHL Draft

Recap: Team USA-Harvard

Crimson school U18s in weekend exhibition
Steve Kournianos  |  10/10/2016 |  Boston  |  

Box Score | Pregame Notes 

BOSTON (The Draft Analyst) — The United States National Under-18 team’s struggles against collegiate opponents continued this weekend with a pair of losses to Boston-area schools, including Saturday night’s penalty-filled 5-2 loss to the host Harvard Crimson. The NTDP, which every season plays over a dozen exhibition tilts against NCAA competition, never seemed to get on track against a Harvard team that used its size and tenacity to create turnovers and possess the puck inside the offensive zone for long stretches.

The Crimson opened the scoring at 2:42 of the first when defenseman Adam Fox picked off a pass from Tyler Inamoto and fed Ryan Donato for a tip-in to the left of goalie Adam Scheel. After defenseman Nate Knoepke tied the game at 1-1 with a rifle shot on the power play at 9:25, senior Alexander Kerfoot responded 60 seconds later when he took a brilliant cross-ice feed from Fox and whipped a wrist shot over Scheel’s shoulder that gave Harvard a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

A hard-fought goal by the NTDP’s Randy Hernandez knotted the score at 2-2 at 3:16 of the second , but the Crimson took the lead for good when Clay Anderson scored on the power play at 5:35. Team USA failed to capitalize on a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage in the middle frame, and Harvard put the game away with third-period markers from Tyler Moy and towering defenseman Riley Sherman, who blasted a slap shot from the blue line past a screened Scheel at 8:22 of the final stanza.

Fox, a third round pick of the Calgary Flames who last season set the NTDP’s single-season scoring mark for defenseman, led all scorers with four assists. Harvard held a 36-27 advantage in shots, and the two teams combined for 42 penalty minutes and 13 power play chances.

Prospect Notes

Team USA

G Adam Scheel (6’3/189, Notre Dame): This was the best Scheel has looked in any of our viewings, and there was little he could do on four of the five goals — the last being a bomb from the point through a maze of players. His rebound control was impeccable in every sense of the term, and only once did we see him put a rebound in front of him, and that was when he batted a puck well beyond the slot. Scheel timed dump-ins with quickness and did well with communicating with his defenders. He made a save of his early season — a left pad split at the goal mouth to thwart a saucered centering feed off a 2-on-1.

LW Grant Mishmash (6’0/184, North Dakota): Mismash picked up the primary assist on Randey Hernandez’s goal when his hard wrist shot was too tough to handle. But it was an otherwise quiet performance by one of Team USA’s better goal scorers, who on several occasions put his linemates at risk by forcing passes to them when they were covered. He made a few low-percentage plays and took a tripping penalty. Mismash played on Scott Reedy’s line with Hernandez and came across as a bit of a passenger.

RW Randy Hernandez (6’0/177): Hernandez was probably Team USA’s best forward, firing off a team-high four shots on goal and displaying excellent vision. He skates with his head up while juking his way into the offensive zone, and he seemed quite comfortable handling the puck. Hernandez’s passes were accurate for the most part, and connected with linemates with authority.

LW Graham Slaggert (5’11/184, Notre Dame): Slaggert is a two-way forward who can fill in at either center or wing. He was on Dhooghe’s left flank and did a lot of yeoman’s work, taking hits and using his speed to skate the puck out of harms way. He won all three of his draws after filling in for his overzealous center, and connected on all the passes he was supposed to make. Slaggert — a Notre Dame commit — was another forward who was effective on the penalty kill

LW Joey Cassetti (6’3/187, Boston College): Cassetti played a crash-and-bang style suitable for the way the evening transpired, hustling every shift without giving away anything in terms of positioning and defensive responsibilities. He displayed good separation speed and puck protection by taking a stretch pass for a breakaway during a Team USA power play, only to have the puck bounce on him right before reaching the low slow. Cassetti is a cerebral player when it comes to board battles, positioning his body and stcik properly while using soft, subtle chip or bank passes to allow teammates to escape up ice with numbers.

LW Jacob Tortora (5’7/162, Boston College): Tortora was one of Team USA’s better players, using his dynamic speed and tenacity to generate chances through a dense network of Crimson sticks and bodies. He didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, but Tortora made several high-end plays to not only elude the sticks of bigger opponents, but lure them towards him so he could thread the needle with passes that created chances. He’s very slippery and tough to contain, but what we liked most is how physically engaged he played and how he finished his checks on bigger players. Tortora played on the top power play unit, positioning himself in the slot area. He also revealed a very hard wrist shot that missed the net.

C Evan Barratt (5’11/187, Penn State): Barratt showed good chemistry centering linemates Jacob Tortora and Brady Tkachuk, but it was his cross-ice assist onto the tape of Nate Knoepke for a power play goal that stood out the most. He centered the top power play unit and played on the penalty with an average night on faceoffs (6-8). He too finished his checks and was effective in using his stick to swat away opposing centering feeds and zone entry attempts. Barratt revealed a hard, accurate backhander that he was able to roof from in close

RW Sean Dhooghe (5’3/138, Wisconsin): Dhooghe is a tough customer who was the least bit intimidated against Harvard’s bigger player. He had an excellent night at the dot (11-5), and used his speed and edge work to remain unpredictable as he zipped though the neutral zone with speed. Unfortunately for Dhooghe, there wasn’t a whole lot of room for him, and the Crimson defenders were able to lean on him with ease. And when he found the time and space in the form of a 3-on-2, his tape-to-tape pass to a cutting Tyler Inamoto was mishandled.

RHD Phil Kemp (6’3/201): Another solid effort from Kemp who is looking more and more like a stay-at-home defender. He had trouble with only a few of his breakouts, but he dished out a couple of big hits and never once did we catch him wandering from where he was supposed to be. Kemp is a heavy-hitter who was rewarded with some power play time that only reinforced how he should be groomed to only clean up messes in his own end.

LHD Nate Knoepke (6’3/01, Minnesota): Knoepke was Team USA’s best defender from wire to wire, and it wasn’t only for his roof-shot power play goal. His size and long stride allowed him to deal with the forecheck, and he was confident with his puck handling. We’re starting to think he’s going to be our top NTDP blueliner as the draft nears, as he’s done nothing to dispel a rise up our rankings.

LHD Tyler Inamoto (6’2/196, Wisconsin): Inamoto had a long night, beginning with a turnover right to Adam Fox for the game’s opening score. He had a handful of misplays with the puck and looked to make up for it with open-ice hits. From the dots down, he’s a suitable defender. His problems, however, may stem from overconfidence with the puck — Inamoto’s an excellent skater and tries to involve himself in every play. He could stand to work on his gap control, as he was cleanly beaten to the outside on a seemingly average one-on-one situation.

LW Logan Cockerill (5’9/164, Boston University): Cockerill is an explosive skater who joined linemates Sean Dhooghe and Graham Slaggert to create a handful of turnovers. Harvard did a solid job of recovering from turnovers, thus limiting the amount of room the trio had to work with. Although Cockerill was quiet at even strength, he did an excellent job during the penalty kill by pressing points and using a quick stick to deflect passes out of the zone.

RW Michael Pastujov (6’0/192, Michigan): Pastujov may have been a dominant player at the Ivan Hlinka tournament, but his season has since been rather quiet. He was neutralized for most of the game, but did make a gorgeous rush into the zone and dangled a defender before rifling a shot just over the crossbar. He played on a line with center Josh Norris and Joey Cassetti — a trip that was pinned in its own end on several occasions. Pastujov has issues with clearing attempts and turned the puck over more than once.

C Josh Norris (6’1/192, Michigan): Norris displayed his high-end potential in spurts, but Harvard was otherwise effective in limiting Team USA”s top-line center from creating scoring chances. He has ridiculous hands and can control the puck in the tightest of spaces, and more than once we saw him strip the puck from an unassuming defender headed up ice. Norris has a brutal nigh on faceoffs (5-13) at first glance, but his instincts allowed him to be quick to the puck and cut down the amount of time the Crimson had to create off of successful draws.

RW Scott Reedy (6’1/202, Minnesota): Reedy seemed ticked off from the second the puck dropped, banging everything in site and mixing it up after the whistle. He registered a secondary assist in a goal by Hernandez — a play made possible by his difficult keep-in of a Harvard clearing attempt. Reedy stood out in two ways — first, he has eyes in the back of his head. Reedy found ways to sneak drop or lead passes to a cutting linemate while not only looking away, but with multiple opponents collapsing around him. Second, his footwork is exceptional, as he starts and stops on a time, and will change direction in a deceptive fashion. Need a guy on that wall? Call Reedy, who went 5-3 on draws but didn’t receive the amount of ice time he deserved.

LHD David Farrance (5’11/191, Boston University): That’s two straight viewings where Farrance has impressed us with just about everything. He quarterbacked the top power play unit, where he used speed and gear shifting to slice through the neutral zone and set up plays. His hand-eye coordination is exceptional, and he needed it to corrall some tough passes in his skates or beyond his reach. He made a coast-to-coast rush for a stuff-in attempt, and used a 150-foot bank pass to spring a teammate for a clean zone entry. Farrance is an offense-first defender whose current command of the ice is veteran like, but he’ll need to get stronger to deal with the kind of power forwards who gave him trouble over the weekend. He had four shots on goal but passed up a handful of open looks.

LHD Max Gildon (6’3/188, Wisconsin): The night was a bit of an adventure for this big defender, and we were a bit disappointed that the crash-and-bang style of the Harvard game made him seem uncomfortable. He had a body in his face every time he turned to get the puck, leading so some inaccurate breakout passes and hasty clearing attempts. Gildon made an excellent 100-foot head man that led to a scoring chance, but he was caught gazing and overcommitted for a 2-on-1 that went the other way. Gildon has promise — you notice his upside even in the face of a struggle. But the logjam of quality two-way defenders at the NTDP level tells us the native Texan would be better off heading to the CHL (The WHL’s Vancouver Giants own his rights) where he’ll probably have a better opportunity to showcase his size/skill combination. He did, however, play very well on the penalty kill.

RHD John Maniscalco (6’1/200): It looked as if Maniscalco was Team USA’s eighth defenseman and the high amount of special teams play is probably why we didn’t see him on the ice as much. The only time he was noticed was when he overcommitted and was slow to react to a puck rusher that had an open lane to the cage.

RHD Tommy Miller (6’2/177, Michigan State): Miller was one of two Team USA defenseman (Knoepke being the other) who was responsible with the puck from start to finish. As stated in previous reports, he’s not flashy. But the score would have been far more lopsided had the NTDP’ers lack the kind of defensive-zone reliability Miller consistently provides. He saw a lot of action against Harvard’s power play and was always positioned to interdict point shots and cross-ice feeds.

LHD Quinn Hughes (5’9/167, Michigan/2018 Draft): Hughes is an excellent skater — probably the best the NTDP’s had in terms of recent defensemen. His instincts and reads were strong, and not once did we see him hesitate or look unsure the second the puck was on his stick. Hughes got the chance to quarterback a late-game power play, displaying incredibly soft hands and the kind of confidence to take the puck to the net via the shortest routes possible. He’s not big (5’9, 167), but he took hits to complete plays and was one of the better Team USA blueliners in terms of handling Harvard’s pressure-packed forecheck.

LW Brady Tkachuk (6’2/194, Boston University/2018 Draft): Tkachuk was a wrecking ball who played fearless, at times a bit out of control. It was a chippy affair, so Tkachuk naturally involved himself any chance he could. He seems to have a quicker first step than brother Matt but lacks in the playmaking department. He’s still a pup and has a two full seasons to hone his game before the 2018 draft rolls around.

2016 U18 Five Nations Tournament

Home Cooking

Host Americans put on a show in Plymouth
Steve Kournianos  |  11/07/2016 |  New York  |  

Tournament Rosters
Tournament Stats
Tournament Results

2017 NHL Draft

Prospect Notes: Windsor vs Erie

Erie’s Lodnia and Windsor’s Vilardi post impressive performances
Steve Kournianos  |  2/12/2017 |  Erie  |  

Video | Box Score

ERIE, Pa. (The Draft Analyst) — Ivan Lodnia scored the deciding shootout goal as the host Erie Otters extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 5-4 victory over the Windsor Spitfires.

Lodnia, one of the top prospects for the 2017 NHL Draft,  also assisted on Warren Foegele’s power play goal in the first that gave Erie a 2-1 lead. His breakaway goal through Windsor goalie Michael DiPietro’s legs made it 3-1 in the second.

Gabe Vilardi and Jeremy Bracco each scored twice for Windsor, which trailed 4-2 in the third before Bracco forced overtime with 2:36 left.

Erie is one win away from equalling the frnachise mark of 11 straight wins set in 2012-13. The Otters improved to an 25-0-1 at home and have the best overall record in the Ontario Hockey League.

FINAL SO: @SpitsHockey (4) – @ErieOtters (5)
ER – @vanya_lodnia 1G 1A + SO winner
VIDEO: https://t.co/vkBH3hUEJB pic.twitter.com/MozHLDUel3

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) February 13, 2017

2017 Draft Prospects

Erie Otters

LW Ivan Lodnia (8/31/99, 5’10/182): Exceptional performance by the game’s best player whose elite hockey IQ was certainly on display. Lodnia may have a reputation as an offensive player, but tonight I saw a relentless puck pursuer capable of making the right decision nearly every time he’s near it. It might have been one of those nights, but he could do no wrong in this one. Lodnia is a quick, accurate passer who plays on the power play but used smarts to beat a top goalie in Michael DiPietro through the legs not once, but twice. He never stops moving and has a hidden gear, but it was odd to see Jeremy Bracco beat him in a footrace for a goal in the second. Remember, this kid is just days from being eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft, meaning he has close to a full extra year of development over some of the top 2017 prospects.

C Gera Poddubnyi (6/9/99, 6’1/183): Poddubnyi is the kind of player who would flourish with more responsibility. He showed precision with his cross-ice passing and is a strong skater with a long stride who likes to get in on the forecheck. His later mobility and directional changes are solid, thus helping him react quickly to a defender’s breakout or escape pass. I didn’t see much in terms of creativity or finesse but the potential is certainly there.

Windsor Spitfires

C Gabe Vilardi (8/16/99, 6’3/201): Vilardi had a strong overall game, showing off soft hands and a deadly shot. He didn’t get off to the best start as his over-stickhanding led to a turnover and a 2-on-1 goal by Alex DeBrincat, but a mistake like that is nothing more than an anomaly. Yes, his skating still looks awkward and he couldn’t shine on a power play loaded with playmakers. He did, however, show aggressiveness and dedication to the forecheck and penalty kill. I really like this kid, whose superior IQ will serve him well at the highest level. He too was less than a month from 2018 draft eligibility.

RW Luke Boka (6/12/99, 6’0/191): Boka is an aggressive power winger with size and a good understanding of the game. He’s the type of player who makes the most of his opportunities and would put up better numbers had he not been blocked by so much firepower. Boka anchored Windsor’s top penalty killing unit and doesn’t stop moving while feverishly waving his stick like a scythe. Once he gets control of the puck, he’s strong enough to not only stay blanced and ward off defenders, but also get a shot on net as he’s hounded.

G Michael DiPietro  (6/9/99, 6’0/200): This was a game that DiPietro probably wants back, especially since it came down to a shootout. The ice was tilted upright for two full periods, and three of the four goals against were from precision plays on odd-man rushes. DiPietro is incredibly quick on his feet and even quicker with the glove, but his timing seemed a hair off tonight as he was late reacting to several shots that whizzed past him. Granted, Erie is loaded with snipers and is the best team in the OHL. But DiPietro getting beat five-hole twice by Lodnia makes me wonder if the former allowed the latter to get into his head. Still, the kid has excellent rebound control and effortlessly guided pucks to safety the entire game.

RW Cole Purboo (6/18/99, 6’3/215): Purboo didn’t see the ice much and was relagted to a checking role when he did. Big and strong with an aggressive mentality, he’s at his best during cycles and board battles. Most of the first two periods however were played in Windsor’s end. Purboo is not a good skater, but he makes up for it by being positioned properly and taking the right routes to the puck.

NHL Prospects

Erie Otters

LW Alex DeBrincat (Chicago Black Hawks 2nd/2016): DeBrincat was noticeable every time he was on the ice, and that includes plays after the whistle. His goal in the first period — an absolute laser to finish off a 2-on-1 — increased his OHL lead to 46 and his point total to a league-best 96 points. Physical, feisty and obviously skilled, I get the sense that he’s playing with more to prove this year than his two previous campaigns.

C Dylan Strome (Arizona Coyotes 1st/2015): Strome was invisible for most of the night until a breakaway in the second period that DiPietro stopped. He didn’t register a point and wasn’t very creative, leaving DeBrincat to handle the puck as he drifted into open shooting lanes. I was expecting a productive night considering the magnitude of the game, but a goal in the shootout turned out to be his lone contribution to the win. Strome has an elite shot, and a conversion to wing could be an option.

RW Taylor Raddysh (Tampa Bay Lightning 2nd/2016): Raddysh played on Erie’s top line with Dylan Strome, picking up an assist via a gorgeous saucer pass to Alex DeBrincat for the game’s opening tally. Erie’s top line was buzzing a lot but it didn’t translate into many quality scoring chances. Raddysh was physical on occasion and used his size to protect the puck and maintain possession.

RW Warren Foegele (Carolina Hurricanes 3rd/2014): Foegele was easily the most active player on either roster, finishing with a power play goal and a game-high six shots. He was positioned on Anthony Cirelli’s wing, hustling and flying all over the place to gain control of the puck and initiate the cycle. Foegele’s been a Godsend since being acquired from Kingston with 18 points in 17 games. He’s quick, strong and provides all the intangibles necessary to make it at higher levels.

C Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay Lightning 3rd/2015): Cirelli centered Erie’s second line and had good chemistry with Lodnia and Warren Foegele. He is an aggressive forechecker and plays feisty. He was 9-7 on draws but had a relatively quiet night on offense.

RHD Erik Cernak (Los Angeles Kings 2nd/2015): Cernak was Erie’s best defender against Windsor, playing physical and making timely step-ups. He’s extremely smooth and heady with the puck and never panicked in the face of a forecheck. Once the puck is on his stick, it’s gone, usually near the red line with accuracy. His footwork looked solid as well, as onrushing Spitfires could not get around him as he maintained a tight gap.

RHD Jordan Sambrook (Detroit Red Wings 5th/2016): Sambrook was impressive with the puck and showed confidence and mobility. He played on the power play and logged big minutes, but it was his breakout pass to kickstart Kyle Maksimovich’s goal that stood out. His combination of physicality and mobility is a legitimate concern for opponents and he’s become the kind of player you have to plan for.

Windsor Spitfires

C Logan Brown (Ottawa Senators 1st/2016): Brown centered Windsor’s top line and made a handful of skilled zone entries despite dangerously handling the puck near his own line with no support behind him. He was a bit indecisive on the power play but it’s hard to fault him considering the Spitfires’ five-man unit consisted of four playmakers and Sergachev’s howitzer. He left the game after two period with an apparent hand injury.

LHD Mikhail Sergachev (Montreal Canadiens 1st/2016): Sergachev had a commanding, assertive game that featured power rushes to the cage, the latter opening him up to a massive (and clean) check from Darren Raddysh that knocked him out for the remainder of the second period. In the first, Sergachev took the puck with confidence and powered down the right wing before threading a pass to Vilardi for Windsor’s first goal. His booming shot was suppressed the entire night but he was the easily the most noticeable defender on the ice.

RW Jeremy Bracco (Toronto Maple Leafs 2nd/2015): Bracco handled the puck a lot and showcased his elite puck skills and patience. It’s amazing how teams continue to struggle defending him when he’s on the forehand and headed towards (surprise, surprise) the back of the net. Credit to Bracco for having that ridiculous lateral agility to continuously evade opponents. He scored twice, the first coming on a partial breakaway where he beat Lodnia in a footrace before wiring a shot past DiPietro.

LHD Sean Day (New York Rangers 3rd/2016): Day played a critical role in Windsor’s comeback by moving the puck through all three zones while leaving opponents in the dust with dekes and head fakes. His coast-to-coast effort on Jeremy Bracco’s tying goal was a thing of beauty, and confidence with the puck can never be questioned. It was, however, a struggle defensively, beginning with an overcommitted slide that allowed Alex DeBrincat all the time and space needed to finish off a 2-on-1. Day played the shooter, but in this case it would have been wiser to commit to DeBrincat on the weak side (especially considering it’s Debrincat). His slot coverage remains poor and he continues to wander and look disengaged.

2017 NHL Draft

Prospect Notes: NAHL vs U17/18 NTDP

Reedy, Gildon dominant in 3-2 loss to NAHL stars
Steve Kournianos  |  2/28/2017 |  New York  |  

Video Highlights

2017 Draft Prospects

Team USA

C/W Scott Reedy (4/4/99, 6’1/202): Reedy was too much for Team South to handle, using his strength and puck control to enter the zone rather effortlessly. He continues to display a strong sense of play development, repeatedly slipping into open lanes to receive the puck cleanly. We still consider him to be better off at the center ice position, but he’s far too productive and reliable below the hash marks to write off his prospects as a goal scoring winger. Reedy seems to never have a problem when matched up against older competition — some of last night’s NAHL’ers were in their early 20’s. Big, strong and a fluid skater, Reedy remains our top forward draft prospect from the NTDP.

#NTDP: C/W Scott Reedy (Ranked No. 29) can stickhandle though a minefield. pic.twitter.com/xtSstd1ioL

— The Draft Analyst (@TheDraftAnalyst) February 28, 2017

LHD Max Gildon (5/13/99, 6’3/188): There is nothing speculative about Gildon’s resurgence following a dreadful early season — he looks like a different player. And while he continues to force passes and play the gambler, his risk taking is more calculated than it was during his autumn struggles. Gildon was assertive and decisive with puck management, and he was accurate with most of his stretch passes. He communicated well with his partner and didn’t skate himself into untenable situations. Handling a forecheck is becoming a strength as his poise with the puck is improving game by game. Gildon, who recently comitted to New Hampshire, is stuck behind several talented NTDP blueliners, so it’s doubtful we’ll ever see his true potential before the draft community convenes in June.

#NTDP: Nice play by LHD Max Gildon (Ranked No. 93), showing hand/eye coordination to settle the puck, then spinning away from pressure pic.twitter.com/VWCURbCI3O

— The Draft Analyst (@TheDraftAnalyst) February 28, 2017

TEAM USA GOAL! Max Gildon scores to cut the #NAHL South lead to 3-2 late in the 3rd. #USAvsNAHL pic.twitter.com/AzuEyi4W1f

— USA Hockey NTDP (@USAHockeyNTDP) February 28, 2017

LHD David Farrance (6/23/99, 5’11/180): Farrance is clearly one of the top two-way defensemen available for the draft, and we’ve seen enough of him to boldly confirm his reputation as a quality power play quarterback with top-four upside. We feel he doesn’t get enough credit for his defensive play, and being under six foot is part of the reason why. Still, he’s the NTDP’s top defenseman who logs top-pairing minutes, runs the power play and kills penalties. Farrance is capable of winning puck battles against bigger older players — he’s done it against NCAA competition and again last night, so we can only hope this gets recognized as he nears the draft. He did, however, make a critical turnover that led to a 2-on-0, but his reaction was quick enough to break up the play before a chance materialized. Farrance’s positioning was solid and used his lower body strength to keep his man near the cage clear of shooting lanes.

RHD Tommy Miller (3/6/99, 6’2/177): Miller was smooth and reliable all night, which is the recurring theme over close tro a dozen viewings. Like Gildon, he too has the misfortune of playing within a deep and talented defense corps with each individual capable of providing offense. Miller is a fluid skater who leeps his head up and makes tape-to-tape passes, and pressure rarely rattles him.

LW Joey Cassetti (2/28/99, 6’3/187): Cassetti is a physical two-way winger who kills penalties and finishes his checks. He’s had a tough time getting offensive zone starts and power play time, but last night was one of the few opportunities where his underrated hockey sense was on display. Cassetti is a tireless forechecker with good speed and an active stick. He’s capable of creating scoring chances off turnovers and knows how to enter a zone with the puck or position himself properly in support of a rush.

NAHL Team South

C David Thomson (10/8/97, 6’0/189): A crafty, hard-nosed pivot who displayed good puck skills and vision while playing Team South’s top line. He’s a good straight-line skater and power play specialist who likes to hang around the weak side. Thomson did well on faceoffs and finished several hard hits.

G Nikita Babintsev (9/26/97, 5’11/176): Flexible butterfly-style netminder who controlled his rebounds and didn’t give Team USA shooters much in terms of openings. He tracked the puck well considering how busy his crease was, while his reset was quick and kept him in proper position.

RW Luke Edgerton  (5/1/97, 5’9/173): Edgerton is an undersized yet skilled winger who flanked Thomson on  Team South’s top line and first power play unit. He had a game-high three points (2g, 1a), showing soft hands and patience around the net. Edgerton is a Wheeling, WV native.

2017 NHL Draft

Prospect Notes: Prince George vs Kelowna

Cougars’ Popugaev a man on an island in blowout loss to Rockets
Steve Kournianos  |  3/1/2017 |  New York  |  

Video Highlights

2017 Draft Prospects

Prince George Cougars

LW Nikita Popugaev (11/20/98, 6’6/202): The final score is not indicative of a collectively poor effort from the Cougars, who thanks to Popugaev could have easily taken multi-goal lead into the decisive second period. Playing on his off wing, the hulking Russian had one of his best all-around performance in what was the fourth time we viewed him. It’s odd that his skating is criticized, because we simply don’t see his forward or lateral mobility and quickness as any sort of hinderance. Popugaev displayed strength on the puck without telegraphing his intentions — Kelowna defenders had a tough time not only figuring out whether he was going to shoot or pass, but were kept honest by his ability from the right wing to cut inside on his backhand. He owns an excellent shot and release, and his massive wingspan allows him to keep the puck well beyond poke-check range. Popugaev remains a habitual over-handler, and there isn’t a 1-on-3 he’s shown to shy away from. Still, he curled and waited for trailers on multiple occasions while breaking for open lanes with his stick on the ice.

Popugaev’s been a bit of a disappointment since his trade from Moose Jaw to Prince George, tallying just four goals in 24 games. Granted, the Cougars are an excellent team with legitimate Memorial Cup aspirations, so it’s not as if they are leaning on him to produce every night. Some have soured on him, which is perfectly fine — the kid has to start burying the puck. Nevertheless, if he continues to produce all-around performances like he did against Kelowna, it will be difficult to keep him outside of the high second round, possibly the lower end of the first. Consider him the 2017 version of Tage Thomson, the big-bodied sniper who last year rarely scored at even strength but still went late in the first round of 2016 to St. Louis.

Kelowna Rockets

RHD Cal Foote (12/13/98, 6’4/212): Watching Kelowna for the second time in just over a week didn’t reveal any major surprises regarding this mammoth two-way defender, who finished the evening with a pair of helpers for his 11th multi-assist effort of the season. Foote continues to impress, anchoring the top pairing at even strength, on the power play and while killing penalties. He’s very quick with the puck in the offensive zone and didn’t make any glaring mistakes — his passes were quick and tape-to-tape. One thing we noticed is the way he makes it a point to stay out of the line of fire, more calculated than reactionary. Foote is the last kid who is averse to blocking shots, but keeping shooting lanes open can be a good thing, especially when you have faith in your goalie’s ability to stop the shots he can see. One play in particular showed Foote fronting his man, then using his backside to push both him and his man away from a shooter to not only eliminate the chance of a tip or rebound, but ensure his goalie had a clear view of the puck.

RW Kole Lind (10/16/98, 6’1/181): Lind had a strong game, picking up a flashy assist on a 2-on-1 goal by Blue Jackets’ prospect Calvin Thurkauf. His 79 points ties him with Brett McLean for the second most points by a Rockets 17-year-old. He finished his checks, played on the power play and held on to the puck in the offensive zone despite being hounded by double and triple teams. In other words, he was his usual, consistent self. Lind takes direct routes to the puck and gets aggressive on the forecheck, while his edge work and ability to quickly change direction remain impressive. His strength, natural puck abilities and vision makes us think he should be developed as a center.

2017 NHL Draft

Prospect Notes: B-B Armada vs Rimouski Oceanic

Promise on display for Armada in 6-0 rout of Oceanic
Steve Kournianos  |  3/8/2017 |  New York  |  

Video Highlights | Box Score

2017 Draft Prospects

Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

LW Joel Teasdale (3/11/99, 5’11/190): Teasdale is a top-line left wing who plays an in-your-face game. His size is far from imposing, but he shows tremendous upper-body strength that wins puck battles, while his leg drive helps him power through opponents as he skates down the wing with speed. Teasdale likes to control the puck and takes direct routes to the net. His feet are constantly moving and there isn’t a loose puck he won’t get dirty for. He skates with a short stride and looks choppy, and while his overall speed is somewhat average, Teasdale moves with a purpose and displays excellent balance. He’ll take a beating in the low slot and uses a wide tripod to maintain a foothold while screening the goalie. His puck skills are above average, and he is more of a shooter than a passer.

LHD Antoine Crete-Belzile (8/19/99, 6’0 /188): Crete-Belzile has the potential to be a very good top-four support defender, and we’d like to think the warts he’s showing in relation to puck management have more to do with his age than anything else — he won’t turn 18 for another six months. There are times he looks outstanding — confident, decisive and crisp. Every four or five solid shifts, however, are generally followed by foul up. Crete-Belzile is a smart player from his blueline inward, as he uses quick reflexes and a solid understanding of play development to intercept passes and transition up ice. He wins his 50/50 battles more for his routes, anticipation, body positioning and active stick rather than relying on speed alone. With the puck on his stick, Crete-Belzile can look impressive, but crossing center ice turns into an adventure. He’s far more reliable when he stays within himself, covers the slot like a blanket and disrupts play around the net. Agile and poised in his own end, Crete-Belzile is inconsistent with his gap control but does have a quick first step and good closing speed. He moonlights as a second-unit option on the power play, but don’t expect much in terms of offense, creativity and point production.

LW/C Anthony Poulin (8/26/99, 5’9/185): Sneaky, crafty offensive player with very quick hands and excellent vision. Poulin made several high-end plays in traffic to find open linemates rather than take shots through clogged lanes. He’s a bit of a waterbug — undersized but feisty and relentless. Poulin displayed a hard, accurate shot with a quick release. He plays in a support role and didn’t get many offensive zone starts but looks like a selfless pass-first playmaker capable of producing with an expanded role.

RW Shaun Miller (6/4/99, 5’11/170): Miller is a 200-foot player who skates well and is difficult to knock off the puck. He has escapability and will weave in and around traffic while maintaining control of the puck. Plays and looks a lot bigger than his listed measurements, as he used his upper-body strength and balance to fend off defenders. His straight-line speed is good, but Miller will gain the zone more from patience and lateral movement than simply blowing past people. Miller can stop on a dime and his footwork helps him gain the extra second or two necessary to find an open option.

Rimouski Oceanic

RW Denis Mikhnin (7/11/99, 5’10/166): Mikhnin is a three-zone skilled forward capable of shouldering top line responsibilities. He is a quick skater with excellent side-to-side maneuverability who can not only skate well, but also create a variety of plays off the rush, such as feathering accurate passes or incorporating trailers and backdoor-cutters. Mikhnin stickhandles with his head up and will walk the line long enough to draw opponents away from quality scoring areas. He is a sturdy player who displays strength and a willingness to battle for pucks in any corner of the ice. An undervalued aspect of his game is that he is responsible in his own zone and drops down into the slot to cover up for roaming teammates. Moreover, his hand-eye coordination and soft hands allow him to settle down or wire bouncing pucks. Always involved and looking to strike, Mikhnin is an opportunist who makes you pay for snoozing.

C Carson MacKinnon (8/21/99, 6’0/154): MacKinnon is a versatile two-way center who can also play the wing. He is a confident, low-maintenance playmaker with very good vision who understands the importance of timing — MacKinnon uses accurate touch or slap passes off the rush, making it difficult to telegraph his intentions. He’s a wiry kid but will play physical and get involved in puck battles, both serving him well on Rimouski’s first penalty killing unit. Playing with poise and eluding pressure are two things he does extremely well, and he can be counted on to move the puck out of his own end and into safety.

2017 CHL Season Review

Canadian Hockey League Leaders (Skaters)

Raddysh, Abramov, Steel among the CHL’s best
Steve Kournianos  |  3/21/2017 |  New York  |  

Erie’s Darren Raddysh was one of the top point producers among CHL defensemen (Photo: OHL Images)

The Draft Analyst (New York) — Another Canadian major junior regular season has come and gone, and with the playoffs just a few days away, let’s take a quick breather and dig into the players who from a traditional standpoint produced impressive stats. This is the first in a series of reviews where we rank the leaders into categories, beginning today with Canadian Hockey League skaters. Subsequent posts will get into goalies and first-year draft eligibles before culminating with analytics leaders, courtesy of prospect-stats.com. Today we’ll feature the top players — drafted, undrafted or soon-to-be-drafted — who as you’ll see either performed above expectation or finished exactly where we thought they would.

You can’t say enough about Regina center Sam Steel, a late first-round selection of Anaheim last June. Steel is our pick for CHL Player of the Year (Mitch Marner and Connor McDavid were the previous two winners), and the staggering numbers speak for themselves. He recorded 81 assists and 131 points in just 66 games — a 61-point increase from his 2016 draft year! And with all due respect to Erie winger Alex DeBrincat — a Chicago Blackhawks prospect and the CHL’s top goal scorer with 65 — there isn’t a player in junior hockey who contributes more to his team than Steel, who wasn’t even considered the top center on his team, let alone the WHL. Neither DeBrincat, Steel nor QMJHL scoring leader and Columbus Blue Jackets pick Vitalii Abramov are players with size, as all three are listed under six feet tall. Still, the dual shoot-pass threat they present to opposing coaches is just one of the many reasons they are among the elite of hockey’s top prospects.

On defense, Quebec League rearguard Samuel Girard, a second round pick of Nashville in 2016, dished out a QMJHL-best 66 helpers after placing third a season ago. Like the three aforementioned forwards, Girard is on the smaller side at a listed 5’9. But his ability to distribute the puck and quarterback a power play is second to none among current CHLers. From a statistical standpoint, the Ontario Hockey League lost to promotion point producers such as Travis Dermott, Jakob Chychrun and Rasmus Andersson, allowing Erie’s undrafted overager Darren Raddysh to shine as the circuit’s top defender. Raddysh led all CHL defensemen in points-per-game average (1.29).

No review would be complete without mentioning draft prospects, beginning with Halifax center and Swiss phenom Nico Hischier, who topped all CHL rookies with a 1.51 points per game. Both Hischier and Finnish pivot Aleksi Heponiemi from the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos shared the CHL rookie scoring crown with 86 points apiece and are first-year draft eligibles for 2017, with Hischier expected to be one of the first players picked in the opening round.

*Stats presented are neither final nor official. Any changes made by the leagues will reflect once identified.

Points

Goals

Assists

Rookies

Defensemen

2017 CHL Season Review

Canadian Hockey League Leaders (Goalies)

Strong CHL crop highlights deep goalie pool for the 2017 draft
Steve Kournianos  |  4/1/2017 |  New York  |  

The Draft Analyst (New York) — Let’s cut to the chase: Instant analysis of amateur goaltenders is pretty much useless. No position in hockey requires such lengthy evaluation and development periods of both technical and physical competence as much as goalies, who are practically in their mid-20’s by the time NHL teams are confident enough to give them a look. Drafting a teenage goaltender and expecting immediate contributions at the NHL level is like asking a fifth grade honor roll student to make the immediate jump to college. Goalies need to be nurtured and fine tuned before they get shoved in front of the proverbial NHL firing line, and the reality is NHL GMs no longer believe in the goalie prodigy, an idea most certainly reflecting at the draft table — in the three NHL Entry Drafts from 2004 to 2006, a total of 10 goalies were chose in the first round. Since 2007, however, only seven goalies saw themselves picked within the top 30, with just one — Tampa’s Andrey Vasilevskiy — resembling anything close to a competant NHL starter. And while several of the 10 chosen between 2004-06 are noteworthy (Carey Price, Devan Dubnyk, Tukka Rask, Cory Schneider), each required a lengthy period of understudy before becoming the impact players they are today 

Nonetheless, goaltending is still a difference maker, and with expansion getting ready to punish teams that are thin between the pipes, there is a vast collection of current major junior backstops who are more than worthy of a draft selection or free agent contract. It’s just going to take a lot longer than it used to.

*Stats presented are neither final nor official. Any changes made by the leagues will reflect once identified.

Games

Shots faced

Saves

Goals Against Average

Save Percentage

Shutouts

Wins

Shootout Save Percentage

2017 CHL Season Review

Canadian Hockey League Leaders (Draft Prospects)

Hischier lives up to hype with mastery of major junior
Steve Kournianos  |  4/5/2017 |  New York  |  

The Draft Analyst (New York) — History tells us that the Canadian Hockey League is pretty good at providing the NHL with premier talent. And while its 2017 crop of draft eligibles seem to be scrutinized far more than those from previous years, that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t see any of them accomplish great things at the highest level. The tables below details a who’s who of the best the CHL had to offer, mixed in with a surprise or two. What shouldn’t come as a shock is that Halifax Mooseheads center Nico Hischier ranked at or near the top in practically every major category. Pegged as the most likely to unseat inured Brandon Wheat Kings center Nolan patrick for first overall in the draft, Hischier was the Mooseheads’ top player from start to finish and put on a memorable show at the 2017 CHL Top Prospects Game.

The tables below are neither final or official from the respective leagues. The data was, however, compiled via the stats pages on their league sites. There’s always the chance that numbers could be off by a hair, and the CHL won’t release its final official numbers until after the postseason.

*Stats presented are neither final nor official. Any changes made by the leagues will reflect once identified.

Points

Goals

Assists

Power Play Goals

Primary Assists

Power Play Assists