However, his real calling card is his shot which ranks near the top of the draft class in terms of deception and power. Check out his skating and awareness! Scott has written for the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Sun, the National Post, SB Nation and several other outlets in the past. Hes a multi-dimensional forward who has quick acceleration, can handle the puck at speed and change tempos in control, can shape play by opening up his hips to go heel-to-heel, thrives in traffic, is a dual shot-pass threat, plays one step ahead of the game in possession, supports the play effectively, problem-solves as well as anyone in this class (in an age group that is full of intelligent playmakers), works his tail off off the puck to keep his energy up (he plays heavier and scrappier than he looks, too), and sets the pace for his line (whether by picking it up or slowing it down to use his creativity). The son of longtime NHLer Yanic Perreault and brother of Ducks prospect Jacob, Gabe doesnt have his dads defensive acumen or his brothers build (hes listed at 165 pounds now), but hes an intuitive, highly-intelligent player who sees the play develop offensively at a more advanced level than his two family members did/do and than almost anybody in the draft does. . To say he has met those expectations would be a profound understatement. 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. Only time will tell if they can do the same for him as a pro. This season, after noticeably adding some needed muscle and rounding out his game nicely, I think he has shown folks that hell be able to stick down the middle. Bedard has crushed all expectations this year and has firmly planted himself in the first overall position. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. His playmaking skills either at full speed or after settling in the offensive zone are impressive and make him a very mobile and skilled threat whenever he has the puck. After being selected 10th overall in the 2022 CHL Import Draft by the Vancouver Giants, Samuel Honzek has done nothing but impress in his first season in North America. 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). While Bedard scores by trying to shoot a wrister as hard as possible, trying to punch a hole through the goalie, Michkov will outsmart the defense and score by finding holes in coverage. His transition play and wicked shot make him the most important player on his team on many nights. Hes a player who has earned the respect of those around the USHL amongst both rival players and staff. For the 2010 bantam draft, players born in 1995 may be selected. It will be followed by an updated top 32 after U18 Worlds (new this year in May), and my final top 100 (released in June). Scouts are fascinated by his power forward package and size down the middle (following a move to centre from the wing as a 16-year-old). It has been a few rough age groups for Russian defencemen but Gulyayevs got a chance to flip the script. He hasnt looked out of place against men and looks very comfortable dictating play from the flanks at even strength and on the power play. Arttu Karki, LD, Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 49. Subscribe Now. 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. 22-Mason Fauser F Swift Current Broncos 5-8 23-Cash Lanigan F Regina Aces 5-8 24-Dane Mansuy D Regina Monarchs 5-8 25-Charlie Kay F Saskatoon Outlaws 5-8 26-Dryden Deobold D Regina Monarchs 5-8 27-Keaton Lesperance F Regina Aces 5-8 28-Cameron Jacobson D Humboldt Broncos 5-8 29-Ethan Dundas F Regina Monarchs 5-8 Roman Kantserov, LW/C, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL_, 53. The pro build, mentality and scoring tools are very appealing though and there will be teams that fall in love with his game/makeup. Catton is the early front runner for 1st overall in next years WHL bantam draft and has recently been granted exceptional player status to play up in Midget AAA next year for the Saskatoon Contacts as a underage player. He does a good job maintaining gaps and matching opposing forwards step-for-step skating backwards. Hes different than Bedard in tools and approach. Team management chose the name "Rebels". The WHL Bantam Draft is only one step in this process. Jayden Perron is an excellent play-driving winger with tons of offensive talent. But after looking like one of the most talented players in Germany for U18 worlds, and then in Red Deer for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and now producing in the Czech Extraliga, he looks closer to a special Czech talent with real top-10 aspirations than he does to interesting prospect-who-torched-a-bad-league. This year, wearing an A as a 17-year-old with the Generals, hes been arguably their most consistent forward while playing a key role on the penalty kill and late in games in the faceoff circle (where he is really strong). That will limit concerns about his height (he certainly hasnt played small in his freshman year so far). He has a good shot but hasnt been encouraged to use it much in Liiga yet. Aiden Fink, RW, Brooks Bandits (AJHL), HM: Ian Scherzer, C, Rgle BK J20 (J20 Nationell), HM: Gracyn Sawchyn, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), HM: Isac Born, C, Frlunda J20 (J20 Nationell), HM: David Edstrom, C, Frlunda J20 (J20 Nationell), HM: Noel Nordh, LW/RW, Bryns IF J20 (J20 Nationell), HM: Zeb Forsfjll, C, Skellefte AIK J20 (J20 Nationell), HM: Jakub Dvorak, LD, Bl Tygri Liberec (Czechia). Its hard to be a true top-of-the-lineup forward at his size, though, and I think he projects more as a complementary scorer who gives a lineup a bit of a different look. 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. He has the tools to be a top-16 player in the draft easily, but I want to see some more offense from him in the OHL before I increase his ranking that much. He doesnt have any one skill that really pops out at you, but I find that hes good at pretty much everything. He is agile enough that I expect hell be very successful on zone entries in the NHL some day, giving his team a chance to control play in the offensive zone whenever he touches the puck. Narrowly my top-ranked defenceman in the draft at this stage, Gulyayev put together the most productive 16-year-old season by a defenceman in the MHLs modern history (13 seasons dating back to 2009) when he posted 35 points in 54 games last year, regularly playing 20 minutes per game in a league famous for typically relying on older players. The raw potential is there in spades and the production is starting to catch up to it. Id eagerly bet on him. pic.twitter.com/OOjR1KDavy. Hes the go-to center for the Cougars in the faceoff circle. I think the bigger question is whether hes going to be more of a middle-six or a top-six one? Wins it in OT for !!! There have been times this season, though, where he has looked like hes trying a little too hard to impress and make things happen instead of allowing the game to come to him. 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 great at changing speeds in transition to separate himself from defenders before either making a move around them or passing to an open teammate. 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - Elite Prospects 2023 WHL Draft Rankings Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. Hes also got some of the quicker hands and better touch on this list. 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. 2023 NHL Draft top 64 prospects: Scott Wheeler's March ranking. 1 pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins posted). Brindley is a 5-foot-9 forward who has been quite good in the NCAA as an 18-year-old, a very impressive feat. And while his game is bullish, hes also got surprising soft skill. Noah Dower Nilsson is purely an offensive player at this point, but hes a very skilled one. Hes a big, strong, sturdy, athletic net-driven winger with slick puckhandling skill one-on-one and a balanced skaters stride. Before the season began, many people saw Otto Stenberg as a top-10 prospect for this draft following his incredible performance for Team Sweden at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Hes the kind of player who can beat you with a pass, a dangerous wrister (in fact, while he has played facilitator so often in games this year, hes got an excellent wrister while moving), or a deke. And he just always seems to play well, no matter the role/usage/stage. Related: Every NHL Teams Top Prospect Midseason Update. He was theCHL Rookie of the Year (on 34 goals). 2023 Whl Bantam Draft - Elite Prospects 2023 Whl Bantam Draft Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. The drafts order of selection depends on where the team finishes in the League standings. Hes a good skater and should pick up another step as he gets stronger. The Clubs that miss the playoffs are placed into a lottery for the 1st round only. Expectations were unfairly high for Connor Bedard coming into his draft year, with the generational talent label floating around in many draft conversations. Continue with Recommended Cookies. He thrives in the small-area game, using light passes and rapid movements to play in and out of coverage. Hes a hard worker who makes his team better whenever he steps on the ice. William Whitelaw, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), 56. A hand injury kept Moore out of action late last year and prevented him from likely playing at U18 worlds as an underager, but he impressed me on three trips down to Plymouth these last two years (last November when he was already playing up, this fall for U18 Five Nations, and this winter for the BioSteel All-American Game. DraftPro's #1 prospect for the 2023 NHL entry draft, Connor Bedard finished the 2021/22 . Perron is so agile that his lack of size and strength dont often hinder his game, however he will need to develop a bit of a physical game (like Logan Stankoven) if he wants to grow into his full potential as a top-six forward in the NHL. 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. Carlssons ability to find and make space off the puck is also impressive for such a young player playing against grown men. He can run the wall or the point on the PP, effortlessly picking coverage apart and feathering pucks through seams. Im not all that worried about either (5-foot-9, 160 pounds) because he has the tenacity and elusiveness that smaller players need to have to make a difference at the NHL level these days. Increasingly, Ive been impressed by his agility in and out of breaks and cuts (his skating is a real asset for him and particularly impressive through his edges and crossovers, though he can get going the length of the ice too). Watch out for Stenberg in the last months of the season, hes been playing better and better and I think hell go in the first round despite his lack of production in the SHL this year. If he can keep up that pace then he could very well lock himself in as the second best prospect in the draft. WHL Network Tigers sign Gavin McKenna, first overall selection in 2022 WHL Prospects Draft 9 months ago Id like to see him pick up a bit more of an acceleration gear from a standstill (his stride can look a little short/stunted/heavy), and fill the scoresheet a little more (though the talent around him has something to do with that too), but theres a lot to like. The draft's top player this season is a borderline generational talent. . Reinbachers a solid forward and backwards skater (though he can look a little stilted at times) who gaps well and defends the rush effectively with a noticeably long stick. And despite suffering a lower-body injury in a KHL preseason game, Michkov (who played to a goal a game last year in the MHL) played to a goal a game in Russias second-tier VHL and has been very productive for his age since the move to Sochi in the KHL. And while he creates a lot off the rush, he also has the finer skills to play the flank on the power play, create inside the offensive zone, finish from mid-range (hes got a nifty release) and dice up coverage. Ziemmer is a December 2004 who was selected with the No. With a hot start in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) as a 17-year-old Leo Carlsson has shot up draft boards and quickly made the top tier of the draft a four-player group. His near point-per-game production at the top of the Huskies stat sheet comes a year after he led the BCHL in goals (45 in 46 games) and points (85) for a 1.85 points-per-game clip that stands as the most productive 16-year-old season in the league in decades, besting Alex Newhook(1.47), Kyle Turris (1.26), Tyson Jost (0.98), and Kent Johnson (0.81) while being four months younger than Johnson was at the time. He has struggled in spurts with the pace required of centres at higher levels (whether that be last summers world juniors, or the pro game, he could stand to get and play a little quicker) and some scouts worry about his consistency at five-on-five, but he has shown important progress on that front and showed well at this winters world juniors at evens. I wondered if my thoughts were altered by the late start and had an effect on how I viewed. But youll also see him make the heady escape play out of his own zone under pressure at five-on-five, or slide into a passing line to intercept a pass, or disrupt an opposing carrier with a tight gap and active stick. While he benefits from playing with talented linemates, Bensons a driver in every sense. He was theNo. 2 in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft with the pick between Bedard and Yager (he and Yager were actually teammates in minor hockey), is a talented and hardworking playmaker who keeps himself involved in the play off the puck and then makes plays between battles in possession of the puck. Hes great along the wall on the cycle, but he can also occasionally make a play that pulls you out of your seat. He walks the line and bends coverage as an impressive and tactical power-play quarterback. All 22 WHL Clubs participated in the four-phase lottery . Evasive. The 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Pre-Show begins with co-hosts Chris Wahl and Taylor Rocca at 9:30 a.m. MT, with live draft coverage beginning at 10 a.m. MT. He stays on pucks, hes got good instincts and takes smart routes around the ice, hes sound positionally, he applies pressure off of the puck and comes up with possession despite not being very physical, and he just always seems to be involved in positive things inside the offensive zone. When hes on, he can completely take over a game. Martin Misiak, RW/LW (Youngstown) WHL Bantam Draft 2023 - full list of selections with facts and stats. pic.twitter.com/OOjR1KDavy Thibaud Chatel (@Thibaud_Chatel) January 24, 2023, David Reinbacher (#64 blue) (Draft 2023) just overskating former NHLer Alex Formenton, following up on his shots, winning a puck against Formenton and Former NHler Tim Heed before serving his teammate on a plate. The best way to define Fantilli is the way one USHL source once described him to me: Hes a horse.. Max Domi (F) as a small but highly-involved forward who plays the game with energy and pace, making little skill plays between coverage. The bantam draft allows for the orderly transfer of players to WHL Protected Player Lists (PPL) from the bantam ranks (13-14 year-olds). Hes strong. There have been Lane Hutson (2022 Draft), Olen Zellweger (2021 Draft), Logan Stankoven (2020 Draft), and Cole Caufield (2019 Draft), to name a few. Reinbacher had a solid tourney on a bad team despite dealing with an illness the entire time. The real question will be if he can make a difference in his own end as his defending has been a bit too relaxed for my liking. Ryan Leonard is a high energy winger who never takes his foot off the gas in terms of both speed and effort. Luke Mittelstadt, LHD (U. of Minnesota) Players from non-North American countries are allowed to be added in the CHL Import Draft which is held in June. The Chiefs hold the first-overall selection, as determined by the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery on June 2, 2021. Heidt, taken No. Hes got some poise and processing under pressure, even if his play with the puck on his stick isnt dynamic per se. Arttu Karki, LHD (Tappara) Gavin McCarthy, RHD (Muskegon) During the bantam draft (typically held in early May), players from the four Western Provinces and the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming are eligible to be selected. We seldom see them play big minutes in a good league, though even when theyre on the older side, like Reinbacher is with his October birthday. Now that the 2023 World Juniors are firmly in the rearview mirror, its time to take another deep-dive into the top prospects for the 2023 Draft. When he tries things and he often does hes never trying them out of desperation but rather intention. Problem-solving. Hes not the hardest-working working player defensively, nor the fastest skater, but he always seems to be lurking around the play (and the puck) anyways and his skill level pops from there. This year, he has been pretty clearly one of the most talented players in J20 whenever he has been there, has shown some really positive signs in spurts in HockeyAllsvenskan (he has actually been equally as productive on a rate basis as Dvrosky), and I liked him at the world juniors before a quiet quarterfinal against Team Canada. pic.twitter.com/ZNwH9wYcC0. 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). And while he shines in moments, those short moments and the consistency of his execution within them (despite being freakishly talented, he makes very few mistakes with the puck) create a uniquely high-reward, somehow low-risk game. The annual Western Hockey League bantam draft coming on May 7 will be full of mixed emotions for hundreds of Grade 9 kids in Western Canada and parts of the United States. 2022 NHL Entry Draft Rankings First Round 1. Dalibor Dvorsky is another player who has been impressive this season against men, playing in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-tier Swedish professional league, for most of this season. Leschyshyn played junior hockey for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League, serving as . He is very intentional with his routes, offensively and defensively, which should help him stick at the centre position long term. by. Tuomas Uronen, RW (HIFK), (Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photos: Jamie Crawford, Minas Panagiotakis, Dennis Pajot / Getty Images). Hes got poise and patience on the puck. He goes to the front of the net and will bail out to make effort plays. Beckett Hendrickson, C (NTDP) Connor McDavid (F) Connor Levis, RW (Kamloops) Hes also well-regarded as a great kid who is easy to coach and understands whats required of a centre. Hameenaho has the strength and stick skills to not just battle well, but win puck battles and keep possession alive for his team. Smith is flanked by the two best wingers in the program while Moore has found incredible success without that level of supporting talent. There were also five more goalies who were among the final cuts for this list and I fully expect each will be on my final draft board. WHL Network. If he were a little bigger, hed be a scouts dream. I believe Michkov could still easily be the second overall pick even though hes playing in Russia and has a contract that will keep him playing in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for three full seasons following the draft. WHL Clubs send scouts to watch first-year bantams from the start of the minor hockey season. Western Hockey League. Chloe Primarano is the first ever female to be selected in a WHL Bantam Draft. Jake Leschyshyn (/ l s n / leh-SIH-shuhn; born March 10, 1999) is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). After the 1st round, the Clubs select in order from fewest to most regular season points. I dont see a lot to nitpick in either his tools or his approach. The way he drops the puck into the middle of his stance and then explodes it off of his blade almost without any forward motion to indicate the shots coming is remarkable. Michael Hrabal, G (Omaha) Perron, who didnt go the popular prep school route in Western Canada, was a terror in Manitobas minor hockey ranks who stepped right into the titanic Steel last season and immediately flashed his skill with the puck, producing 48 points in 63 games to earn USHL All-Rookie Second Team honours. Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha Lancers (USHL), 61. Melker Karlsson (F) SHL. Sports Apr 22, 2020 Winnipeg Ice select B.C. The WHL Bantam Draft is an annual outing, in which the Club's of the Western Hockey League select players who have graduated from bantam. He started to come on before the world juniors, though, and then he was good in a bottom-six role for Team USA and he has played quite well in his return to college hockey. Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) 2. Noel Nordh, LW (Brynas) Tom Willander, RD, Rgle BK J20 (J20 Nationell), 57. Once the true cream of the crop in this class are gone, hes the kind of talent Id swing on in the second round. 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. Western Hockey League completes 2022 WHL U.S. Ethan Gauthier is one of the most consistent players in this draft class in terms of effort and habits, not just production. He has regularly blown me away in viewings these last couple of years (at Hockey Canadas showcase two summers ago, in games where he looked like a man among boys in the USHL, and now again at various points throughout his historic freshman year at Michigan, where he was the best player in college hockey from the jump andseems to have found another level of late). Though hes not big, he plays hard and engages in battles in the defensive zone with some sneaky strength. Danielson is great at attacking the middle of the ice which makes up for his lack of a finishing touch because it leads to a plethora of chances that good line mates could finish at a solid clip. Then he got back in late February and after a pointless return put up two goals on six shots in his second game back. I was eager to see how Matthew Wood would adjust to the college game after dominated the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) where he led the league in goals and points as a 16-year-old. Hes got everything else you look for in a dynamic play creator, too. Stenberg was, coming into this season, viewed by many as the second-best Swedish prospect in this class to Carlsson after he played to nearly a point per game at the J20 level last year, looked like he belonged as an underager on the national team at U18 worlds, and impressed as Swedens leading scorer captain at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (he also scored two Michigan goals last season and has continued to wear the C for Sweden this season at events like the falls Five Nations in Plymouth, and the World Jr. A Challenge). With the puck on his stick, hes a treat to watch.