whl bantam draft rankings 2023
He doesnt have any one skill that really pops out at you, but I find that hes good at pretty much everything. 2022 NHL Draft: WHL Players to Watch - FCHockey NHL Entry Draft -3005 - full list of selections with facts and stats. He can get a little ahead of the play, and hes got work to do on his game defensively if he doesnt want to get hemmed in at the next level, but those are things you live with with a talent as singular as his. I think its only a matter of time until he starts to produce more consistently. When he does go there, too, Ive seen him show that dexterity he has getting sticks on tips and redirects. Im not sure there has ever been a player Connor Bedards age in the history of hockey who has been able to shoot the puck like he can. 3 in advance of any draft and the best Russian prospect since Alex Ovechkin. Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. 2023 WHL bantam draft prospects - Toptin.org 2021 Draft Rankings: Final 65-96 (May) : The Draft Analyst Everett, by virtue of finishing with the third-best overall record in the 2021-22 regular season, will select 20th overall in the first round. The BCHLs leading scorer while playing on a line with his older brother Josh (a playerI vouched for as a worthy late-round flier ahead of last years draft), Nadeau is a multi-dimensional forward whose hands, skating, and shooting all get very high grades. Cam Squires, RW (Cape Bretton) After playing on Russias Hlinka Gretzky team twosummers ago, But played to a point-per-game level in the MHL as one of its top 2005s last season and began his draft year on a tear in the MHL, scoring 11 goals in his first 15 games of the season before earning a mid-October promotion to the KHL for the first time (he has since scored his first two pro goals and has bounced between the KHL and MHL). Oliver Moore is one of the best skaters in this draft class with blazing speed and solid agility. (Maksim Konstantinov / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images), how strong the 2022 draft class was for Slovakia. They are: 1, 2-4, 5-6, 7-22, 23-33, 34-64+. His size is obviously a talking point, and theres a boom or bust element to his projection, but hes a first-round talent and a clear play creator on a team with a few of them in Chicago this year. Expectations were unfairly high for Connor Bedard coming into his draft year, with the generational talent label floating around in many draft conversations. He does a good job maintaining gaps and matching opposing forwards step-for-step skating backwards. He can score from mid range consistently with his low-kick wrister, hes got an ability to protect the puck and shade in and out of coverage, hes got a dangerous curl-and-drag wrister, and hes comfortable in traffic. I like the way he has learned to hunt and come up with pucks, too. But hes also sturdy for his size, which allows him to extend plays, hang onto pucks when a quick attack isnt there, or delay for his linemates. Name. Welcome to Draft Prospects Hockey's introduction to the 2023 NHL Draft Class series. It has been a few rough age groups for Russian defencemen but Gulyayevs got a chance to flip the script. Koehn Ziemmer is another pro-built winger who loves to shoot the puck hard whenever given the chance. Leschyshyn played junior hockey for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League, serving as . And while hes probably not going to be a star at the next level, I like Ziemmer as a potential second-line winger who can contribute offensively in a variety of ways. Hes gotdecent hands when he pushes through the middle. by. Viewed as a mid-round pick by most, Ciernik is a player I diverge from the public and private scouting communities on. 2022 NHL Draft Tracker: Matthew Seminoff - FCHockey His ability to make plays offensively both off the rush and inside the zone (where hes got slick skill in traffic, great instincts off of the puck, and a lunch-pale approach) also gives me a lot of confidence that hell continue to progress. This year, though he has struggled defensively in his limited minutes in the KHL, he has looked dominant at both ends in his returns to the MHL and comfortable in the second-tier VHL. 2022 NHL Draft Tracker: Matthew Seminoff Matthew Seminoff has made quite the name for himself on a talented Kamloops Blazers roster that boasts three potential draft picks at the 2022 NHL draft. Hes got some of the best soft skill in the draft. Oscar Fisker Molgaard, C (HV71) You can also find an additional 32 honourable mentions below. There are times when he can wait too long to make his decisions and I wouldnt call him creative, but he makes good choices more often than hes careless with it and he has progressed really rapidly for a kid who doesnt turn 18 until a couple of weeks from now. Hes not the most cerebral player and he can be a little too net-focussed at times, but hes the kind of player who will score, add physicality to a line, and slide up and down a top nine in an NHL lineup while endearing himself to his coaches. I think theres a small chance he becomes a star or close with the right development, too. WHL Club Protected Player Lists - WHL Prospects He has the potential to change the trajectory of an NHL franchise and will likely score a ton of goals along the way. Sports Apr 22, 2020 Winnipeg Ice select B.C. Ive seen him create breakaways with ease, win races he should, and send defenders sliding when he stops up on them with a head of steam. Related: Early Look at the 2024 NHL Draft. Four 2005-born standout defenders in the CHL, Breaking down four top 2005 forwards in the WHL, Six WHL Players from the 2021 Draft selected outside of the Top-10 whove had early success, The Five Star Hockey Show: 2023 Canada Winter Games Preview, Western Canada Ramblings: NHL and WHL Draft, The Checklist: 2008-born Manitoba players in the WAAA U15, January 2023 WHL Draft Ranking update | Top-80, January Top-80 2023 OHL Draft Ranking Update, Final Thoughts: John Reid Memorial Tournament 2023, 10 Puck Touches: Day Three and Four 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, 10 Puck Touches: Day Two, 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, 10 Puck Touches: Day One 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, The Checklist: Seven 2008-born Western Canadian Players to Watch, 14 2008-born Defensemen profiles from Sask First Top-160, 2022 WHL Draft Review: From Prince George to Winnipeg, 2023 NHL Draft: Breaking down the WHL Defensemen in the CHL Top Prospects game. Scott Wheeler covers the NHL draft and prospects nationally for The Athletic. Hes going to be an NHLer. Hes a classic example of a jack of all trades, master of none, with solid scores across the board when it comes to defensive play, playmaking, skating and shooting, with none of those individual skills popping off the page at you. Reinbacher has fallen slightly on my list through no fault of his own, but because of the excellent play of prospects around him. It often takes two to take the puck off of him when hes twisting and turning, too. 4 and has had a tremendous age-adjusted season between his play with Orebro in the SHL and at the world juniors (where he was one of Swedens top forwards despite playing sick), even considering his December 2004 birthday and a year after playing to virtually two points per game at the J20 level (he looked good in an important role as a top-nine centre for Sweden at U18 worlds before an injury kept him out of their medal round run to a gold medal, too). Hes an entry machine driving play through the neutral zone and across the line in control. Hes got some poise and processing under pressure, even if his play with the puck on his stick isnt dynamic per se. One of the more impressive 2005s in the CHL last season, Barlow scored 35 goals in 66 combined regular-season and playoff games as a rookie in the OHL and was named captain of the Attack for his draft year (both rare goal scoring for a player his age, and a rare honour for a player his age). He was the No. Connor Bedard has made the competition for first overall a one horse race, absolutely dominating at the World Juniors where he clearly looked several steps ahead of his competitors Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson. Eduard Sale is a great offensive winger who currently leads all U20 players in scoring as a 17-year-old in the top Czechian professional league. However, first-year bantams had been playing at the peewee level the previous year, and in order to list first-year bantams, WHL Clubs needed to scout the peewee ranks. There has been a lot of hockey since my. Hes a player who has earned the respect of those around the USHL amongst both rival players and staff. Reinbachers got pro size, desired handedness, and a really strong foundation of tools that all but guarantee hell become an NHLer. Four 2005-born standout defenders in the CHL, Breaking down four top 2005 forwards in the WHL, Six WHL Players from the 2021 Draft selected outside of the Top-10 whove had early success, The Five Star Hockey Show: 2023 Canada Winter Games Preview, Western Canada Ramblings: NHL and WHL Draft, The Checklist: 2008-born Manitoba players in the WAAA U15, January 2023 WHL Draft Ranking update | Top-80, Final Thoughts: John Reid Memorial Tournament 2023, 10 Puck Touches: Day Three and Four 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, 10 Puck Touches: Day Two, 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, 10 Puck Touches: Day One 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, The Checklist: Seven 2008-born Western Canadian Players to Watch, 2022 WHL Draft Review: From Prince George to Winnipeg, 2023 NHL Draft: Breaking down the WHL Defensemen in the CHL Top Prospects game, Rocky Mountain Classic 2022: Rambling Part Two, 9 forwards who impressed at the Graham Tuer U15 Challenge, Preliminary Top 25 2023 WHL Draft Rankings Released. There are some whod like to see him get to the guts of the ice and battle a little more (he glides a little too much off of the puck offensively and defensively). 2020 All rights reserved to Puck Preps. However, his offensive production has left much to be desired, leaving many questions about if he will have much offense to provide in the NHL someday. You want the play to run through his hands and brain. As in, you could put him on the icewith the worlds best shooters (say, Auston Matthews, Nikita Kucherov, Patrik Laine, Alex Ovechkinand Steven Stamkos) and they wouldnt be able to load up just off of their lead skate and fire it off balance like he does. 1 pick in the 2021 QMJHL draft and son of former 10-year NHLer Denis Gauthier, followed up a strong showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (where he scored six goals in five games) with a strong start to his draft year at the top of a stacked Sherbrooke lineup, before seeing his production taper off some as they added more talent ahead of the deadline. Theres the pinpoint accuracy from impossible angles. About 2023 Draft Nhl Prospects . Scott Ratzlaff, G (Seattle) Hes a strong, pro-built, physically mature winger (some of which is a benefit of his 2004 birthday, but some of which is obviously a credit to the work he has put into filling out his frame he really does look sturdy) who likes to shoot the puck and shoots it hard, but also regularly beats defenders and goalies one-on-one with a slick set of hands across his body so that they cant plan for the shot. He has every physical tool you could hope for, and uses each of them well, with the speed, strength, and reach to be a really great top-four defender in the NHL. Moore has identified himself as the second best prospect out of the NTDP this season, behind only Will Smith (and the gap isnt that big in my mind). Beyond his natural skill in possession, he also impresses with his smarts with the puck, his cerebral play style, and his ability to play to his linemates. Carson Rekhopf, C/LW, Kitchener Rangers (OHL), 60. His strength complements a competitive, physical, forechecking, middle-lane style that makes good use of his length and hard wrister from midrange. From my first live viewing of him two Octobers ago in St. Catharines when he looked like the Generals most talented forward in just the second game of his OHL career, to his four-goal, seven-point series in Oshawas six-game first-round defeat against the Frontenacs, to his Hlinka performance this summer, to my most recent live viewings of him both in Oshawa and in Langley at the CHL Top Prospects Game, Ritchie has consistently impressed me. Its powerful when it needs to be and light and adjustable when it needs to be. whl - PuckPreps A Maine Black Bears commit, Nadeau creates offence in a variety of ways, bursting wide or pulling away from defenders in transition with his quick feet, taking the puck right at or through coverage with his maneuverability, or leaning into a pinpoint shot (whether off of catch-and-releases, standstill shooting mechanics off the flank on the power play or through his one-timer which the Vees have tried to open by playing him, a right-handed shot, on his off-wing this season). 2023 WHL Draft Ranking Update: . He can beat you flying out wide. Last added: Carter Joo. Hes a rare kind of player where hes got A-grade tools across the board, and star talent in spades, but hes also got an efficiency to his game that is incrediblyrare for a skilled player (especially one his age). 2022 NHL Entry Draft Rankings First Round 1. This year, he has already broken past both of those marks and sits top 10 in the WHL in scoring (though he has regressed a little after a hot start). Fantilli is currently averaging about one and a half points per game on a University of Michigan team filled to the brim with talent. Gabriel Szturc, C (Kelowna) Publishing date 2022-11-14 User Ryan Crawford Views 1955 Favorited 1 Share Embed 2023 Whl Draft Projected Rankings Go Premium for Elite Prospects Support. He gets shots off extremely fast and without bobbles in catch-and-release sequences. He has a high floor and should safely become a strong third-line player but also has the upside to become more if things really click in his north-south game at the next level. Then you add in instincts off the puck to get open even when hes a marked man, an improved physical engagement (hes really quite feisty and competitive), some underrated skill as a puck thief, and youve got a superstar prospect. Hes also got some of the quicker hands and better touch on this list. On February 5, 1992, the Rebels selected Mike McBain as their first player in the Bantam Draft. February 2023 OHL Draft Ranking Update Jordan Malette 2023 Canada Winter Games Recap - Eastern Canada Brayden Olafson 2023 Canada Winter Games: Gold Medal Game Report - Team Saskatchewan Joel Henderson 2023 Canada Winter Games: Gold Medal Game Report - Team Ontario Jordan Malette Four 2005-born standout defenders in the CHL Sam McGilligan Wood is a rangy, goal-scoring forward who has silky hands for his size (considering the long stick he uses, hes got great control on the toe of his blade out wide and the heel in tight to his feet), a marksmans shot inside the offensive zone (both through a natural shooting motion and his one-timer), and a sixth sense for arriving around the net/slot at the right time. Hes got everything else you look for in a dynamic play creator, too. Im a big fan of his and hes still my top ranked defenseman in this draft, it has just become harder to rank him above certain forward prospects who have really begun to establish themselves. WHL Network Tigers sign Gavin McKenna, first overall selection in 2022 WHL Prospects Draft 9 months ago Charlie Stramel, C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA), 34. January 2023 WHL Draft Ranking update | Top-80 Joel Henderson. Hes also a dexterous player who has good size (which will fill out). Barlows size, strength, and maturity as a teenager lead me to believe he could have a real shot at making the NHL out of training camp for whichever team selects him, hes that talented and reliable. Draftpro - an Introduction to The 2023 Draft Class - Whl He has been utterly dominant at the J20 level, played big minutes when things mattered most as an underager at the world juniors (including in three overtimes) and looked himself in spot usage in the SHL. Alex Ciernik, LW/RW, Sdertlje SK J20 (J20 Nationell), 37. Because of his genetics, he should add the necessary weight and strength eventually. And he just always seems to play well, no matter the role/usage/stage. Its all there. Hell of a performance from Slovakia especially their Tendy! Brayden Yager has been talked about in the public scouting sphere for nearly as long as Connor Bedard, being drafted third overall in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and winning the CHL Rookie of the Year award last year on the back of a remarkable 34-goal, 59-point rookie season. Ill be shocked if he doesnt become a playmaking top-six centre and PP1 creator. The way he dodges checks and evades pressure is impressive, but the way he attacks the middle of the ice is what I like most about him. Stenberg is never the biggest guy on the ice, but hell drop a shoulder and push his way to the dangerous areas of the ice without hesitation. Publishing date 2022-12-21 User Anonymous Views 12926 Favorited 2 Share Embed 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 And he always seems to be around it. Hes a natural scorer and creator, but hes also got plus vision and deft touch (though I wouldnt say his creativity is necessarily a strength). Hes got high-end speed with his galloping crossover strides and strong acceleration from a standstill (with continued work to do to take his first two steps up a notch and find an even quicker gear), which help him carry the puck up the ice or join in transition as the trailer whenever he has to play catchup. Logan Cooley2. Noel Nordh, LW (Brynas) NHL Draft Rankings: Horn's Top 64 for January After a solid showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, Quentin Musty was considered by many to be the best U.S. born prospect in this draft class. Subscribe Now. Gavin McCarthy, RHD (Muskegon) He can beat you on the perimeter with his skill (highlighted by excellent one-on-one hands-on defenders).