whl bantam draft rankings 2023
One of the most surprising junior players so far this year is Lukas Dragicevic who has put up points at well above a point per game rate in the WHL from the back end, making him the highest scoring defender in the league as of writing. I think theres a small chance he becomes a star or close with the right development, too. Hes strong. He has been off to a hot start this season, averaging just under a goal per game. Name. Adam Gajan, G (Chippewa/Green Bay) Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha Lancers (USHL), 61. 33. Charlie Stramel, C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA), 34. Hes always moving. A slow start to the OHL season saw his draft stock swing way down, but his production has leveled up significantly of late, and hes beginning to rise again. No, you haven't accidentally clicked a lyrics page add and been directed to an eighties anthem, it's DubNetwork Scouting's LAST REVEAL for our December Top 22 - WHL Bantam Draft prospect breakdown. Fantilli is a big, strong, powerful kid who takes pucks from the wall to the interior with force, and ease, and speed. However, his real calling card is his shot which ranks near the top of the draft class in terms of deception and power. Gauthier, the No. pic.twitter.com/ZNwH9wYcC0. Reinbachers got pro size, desired handedness, and a really strong foundation of tools that all but guarantee hell become an NHLer. The top pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Musty is one the focal points of the Wolves offence and would be their leader in shots on goal, assists and points were it not for a few weeks lost in January to a hand injury (following up on a strong showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer). He shows off his edgework and hands best while playing through traffic as he just seems to be nearly impossible to nail down and knock off the puck. The raw potential is there in spades and the production is starting to catch up to it. Manipulation. 2023 WHL bantam draft prospects December 15, 2022 by Thu L 6 lt xem 5289 t bo co - Xem xt cc trin vng c chn trong vng 1 v 2 ca quy trnh d tho Giai on I ca USHL - Matthew Frost, Reid Varkonyi, Aidan Park, Mac Swanson, Lukas Fischer, Geno Carcone, Tory Pitner,. Just a couple of weeks away from having been eligible for the 2022 draft, Danielson, who was an MVP of Albertas U15 AAA circuit and the No. He just has a unique ability to impose his will on the game. Hes a smooth skater who is noticeable in transition for both his ability to weave up ice and facilitate and also his ability to create breakaways for himself and beat goalies one-on-one. 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. Hes got gallops, cutbacks, crossovers, all of it. My best guess at a player who has great skill but might slide on draft day due to his height is Gavin Brindley. Dvorsky has shown solid defensive play so far against men and his vision and puck skills have looked right at home, especially on the power play. I wondered if my thoughts were altered by the late start and had an effect on how I viewed. Tyler Bertuzzi (F) NHL. Thank you for your interest in our network of websites, newsletters, and other services. And while his game is bullish, hes also got surprising soft skill. Hes a big, strong, sturdy, athletic net-driven winger with slick puckhandling skill one-on-one and a balanced skaters stride. He can slow it down and pick things apart or hurry up his passes through holes. He can beat you on the perimeter with his skill (highlighted by excellent one-on-one hands-on defenders). With the puck on his stick, hes a treat to watch. For some, it will be. Hes a big winger whose game really fit right from the get-go on North American ice, quickly establishing himself as a a go-to player in all-situations for the Giants (even though he was an underager, Slovakia was playing him a ton early on in the world juniors, too). Benson is currently outscoring two of his teammates in Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie who were both drafted in the top-11 of the 2022 Draft. He is a very intelligent offensive player and can make these great reads and plays at full speed. 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. 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. If he develops a bit more as a creator, Hameenaho could easily out-perform his draft slot. Sweden's best prospect for the 2023 draft, Carlsson dominated the J20 level with his size and skill last season, playing at nearly two points per game (35 in 18) and adding nine points in 35. Six WHL Players from the 2021 Draft selected outside of the Top-10 who've had early success Joel Henderson The Five Star Hockey Show: 2023 Canada Winter Games Preview Puck Preps Western Canada Ramblings: NHL and WHL Draft Joel Henderson Four 2005-born OHLers trending up Sam McGilligan Yager plays a threatening, attacking, puck-dominant game with skill in straight lines and in cutting sequences in transition. Nobody can defend his inside-out cut into that low, hard wrister of his at the junior level. Hes a slick one-on-one player. 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). He has a good shot but hasnt been encouraged to use it much in Liiga yet. The WHL Bantam Draft is only one step in this process. Few centers in junior hockey enter their draft year as well-rounded as Nate Danielson. Adam Gajan, G, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), 55. Gabriel Szturc, C (Kelowna) We believe in fully disclosing the methods to which we collect and use your personal information. When he tries things and he often does hes never trying them out of desperation but rather intention. 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. He passes the eye test. Cam Squires, RW (Cape Bretton) 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. His skating is balanced. WHL Network Tigers sign Gavin McKenna, first overall selection in 2022 WHL Prospects Draft 9 months ago 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). The way he walks through coverage and hangs onto pucks is special. Publishing date 2022-10-13 User Anonymous Views 18875 Favorited 3 Share Embed 2023 WHL Draft Rankings He can definitely drift a little at five-on-five but his eyes light up and his head swivels when the puck lands on his stick, and skill plays against the grain usually follow. He hasnt looked out of place against men and has scored points at an excellent rate so far for a draft eligible player. He profiles similarly to David Jiricek physically, but with a more defensive tilt to his game. We also invite you to ask us about our policies or feel free to let us know how we can better serve your privacy concerns. I watch him and I see an NHL player with the kind of well-rounded, high-effort skill set that could see him move around an NHL lineup (in a good way) someday. 2020 All rights reserved to Puck Preps. pic.twitter.com/ZNwH9wYcC0 Pavel Barber (@HeyBarber) January 3, 2023, WELCOME TO THE BEDARD SHOW! Of course, there are also some prospects who dropped in this edition of my rankings, including Brayden Yager and David Reinbacher. He projects as a pass-first playmaking centre with a middle-six floor, first-line potential, and clear PP value (in multiple roles, too, because hes great around the net and below the goal line but can also run it from the flank). Tom Willander, RD, Rgle BK J20 (J20 Nationell), 57. with the Wolverines). Players from non-North American countries are allowed to be added in the CHL Import Draft which is held in June. Im talking nobody. Hes not just the energy guy though either. Expectations were unfairly high for Connor Bedard coming into his draft year, with the generational talent label floating around in many draft conversations. When you spend some time watching him and asking around about him, you quickly realize why. Its all there. Not Clayton Keller. Hes unafraid to try things and has the skill to execute difficult plays. Now that the 2023 World Juniors are firmly in the rearview mirror, it's time to take another deep-dive into the top prospects for the 2023 Draft. Check out his skating and awareness! Hes a marvel, with legit 50-goal upside at the next level. While he benefits from playing with talented linemates, Bensons a driver in every sense. Not Phil Kessel. Hes one of the older players on this list (October 2004) but was also one of the most productive under-18 players at the J20 level last year, a top performer on the second line (with Dvorsky) as one of the younger players at his Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and Slovakias leading scorer in their promotion win in the Division 1A U18 world championship (his 12 points were one more than Dvorsky). He loves attacking defenders and beating them in one-on-one skill battles. Ethan Gauthier is one of the most consistent players in this draft class in terms of effort and habits, not just production. Scouts are drawn to him because of his size-skill combo and while he can look a little uncoordinated out there at times, that draw is real and theres some definite tools there. close. His skill and power combination make him a nightmare for defenders as he can beat you with his hands or by tossing his large frame into you to protect the puck. 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. Noel Nordh, LW (Brynas) 10 Puck Touches: . Updated: Feb 16/2023 - Welcome to the Top 500 Prospect Rankings List plus Additions/Watch List/Players To Be Evaluated list. Dvorsky is a highly-talented and intelligent playmaker who can threaten defenders and coverage in a variety of ways, whether thats carving them up in control and finishing cleanly from the home plate area, or sliding off of coverage to find pockets of space to get open into. Hes also well-regarded as a great kid who is easy to coach and understands whats required of a centre. Good habits away from the puck lead me to believe he will be a reliable NHLer with top-six forward upside. While there are some great prospects in the top-five of the draft, theres no doubt that Bedard is the reason teams are tanking. Each of those guys played quite well at the tournament for draft eligible players, but nobody at the tournament of any age could hand the offensive pressure of Bedard. Kalan Lind, C/LW, Red Deer Rebels (WHL), 46. There arent many players in this draft class whove come along quite like Sandin Pellikka has in the last year or so. Hes got smooth skating mechanics. He provides a ton of offense in transition as well as in the offensive zone where he seems to create scoring chances at will. He has learned to use some clever movement patterns to make defencemen miss and get to his spots as a shooter. Arttu Karki, LD, Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 49. . At this point I think his offensive abilities will at least make him a power play threat even if his skating never catches up. He may become a darn good, hard and heavy bottom-six player at the next level in time, but hell have to show me more to warrant a projection higher than that (a projection some others do still believe in). Id be quite surprised if he slid all the way to 16 (where I have him ranked), because a right-handed centre with his shot has a ton of value to NHL teams. Cameron Allen, RD, Guelph Storm (OHL), 62. He plans things out on the ice at speed and then finds ways to make his desired play. Western Hockey League. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Martin Misiak, RW/LW (Youngstown) Subscribe Now. 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 He credited the Mintos for helping prepare him to make the jump to Major Junior hockey. He is so difficult for defenders to pin down because of the way he manipulates defenders movements (like waiting for them to turn their skates in one direction before darting in the other), and him being a right-handed centerman doesnt hurt either. After the draft is completed, all the remaining bantams become eligible to be listed by teams, and many will be added as spots become available on Clubs PPLs, or as a players talents improve or are more noticeable at a later date or at a higher level of hockey. Hes got unbelievably quick hands and the loose grip that all great handlers have. But even when things arent going his way and the points arent falling, Ive always liked his involvement level, so its hard to get too down on him. The original owner of the team was Terry Simpson, the original . Once he refines his game some more and adds more muscle as he ages, watch out. Felix Nilsson, C (Rogle) 2022-2023 regular season player stats for CSDHL 13U, including top goal scorers, most games played, PPG leaders and more. Hell make plays through seams. The bantam draft allows for the orderly transfer of players to WHL Protected Player Lists (PPL) from the bantam ranks (13-14 year-olds). Holding steady at about two points per game, Cristall has already shown improvements following his impressive 69-point WHL rookie season last year. Hes got really good edges and mobility, though he doesnt have the speed in straight lines to pull away from faster chasers. Smith is one of the very best slot passers in the draft and uses his unique puckhandling ability to dodge close-outs, weave off of the wall, and make plays through holes in coverage in possession with ease, regularly hanging onto pucks to delay his way into his spots or carve in. A brilliant handler and manipulator of the puck, including at full speed, Smith is a tantalizing and slippery talent who blends deception, baits and fakes (with his eyes, shoulders and head) into his movements to not just make opposing players miss but often send them the wrong way. Carlssons one of the smartest players in the draft, a very heady player who understands spacing and timing on and off the puck at an advanced level for his age. Priority Draft 10 months ago 44 players were selected by the 22 WHL member Clubs in Wednesday's U.S. 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). Hes also not fast despite his strength, although he has made progress in his skating and does at times look powerful in straight lines. I think the bigger question is whether hes going to be more of a middle-six or a top-six one? 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 Reinbacher has fallen slightly on my list through no fault of his own, but because of the excellent play of prospects around him. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. And yet most believe hes the third-most compelling and projectable prospect on USAs top line. Melker Karlsson (F) SHL. Hes also going to be an able penalty killer, which should give him all-situations upside at the next level. He looks to take instead of give in the neutral zone, regularly stepping up to try to bump puck carriers off possession and force dumps (though there are times when that style can leave him chasing if his timings off or hes flatfooted). Once the true cream of the crop in this class are gone, hes the kind of talent Id swing on in the second round. Timur Mukhanov, LW (Omsk) He uses his body to gain inside positioning on defenders and shields pucks effectively. 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. Noah Dower Nilsson is purely an offensive player at this point, but hes a very skilled one. Though he doesnt play the game with some of the shine of the three players in front of him, Carlsson, the top Swede in the draft, has emerged as my clear No. And after how good he looked as an underager at U18 worlds in Germany last April, nobody has been surprised by his near goal-per-game breakout this season (in fact, I wrote I wont be surprised if he challenges Smith and Moore on the stat sheet this year while providing all of the energy that he does in my preseason ranking). 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). On February 5, 1992, the Rebels selected Mike McBain as their first player in the Bantam Draft. Hes got one of the best shooting actions in motion Ive ever seen. Hes got smooth hands. Ryan Leonard is a high energy winger who never takes his foot off the gas in terms of both speed and effort. Michkovs brilliance comes primarily from his ability to read and process the play at an extremely advanced level, make his decisions quickly, and execute on them with incredible proficiency, whether thats ripping a patterned shot (his one-timer, his standstill wrister, his curl-and-drag, etc. 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. He uses his speed and skill to blow by defenders in the neutral zone and pressure in-zone defenders who struggle to anticipate his next move. 2022 NHL Entry Draft Rankings First Round 1. I believe Austrian defender David Reinbacher is the best defenseman in the 2023 Draft class right now and an argument could be made that he could be ranked as high as the top-10. So far, his offense has only improved, even considering the increased competition. 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). Without further ado, lets get into the January edition of my 2023 NHL Draft Rankings. Ritchie is the complete package. The . 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. Yager has been on the radar in Western Canada for some time now, and hes got some real pedigree to his profile and cache to his game to support it. League. That will limit concerns about his height (he certainly hasnt played small in his freshman year so far). 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. 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. Luca Cagnoni, LD, Portland Winterhawks (WHL), 38. I think hell stick at centre, too (nice to see him at 53 percent in the circle so far this year). Denver Barkey, C, London Knights (OHL), 63. Within his movement patterns, he can handle the puck on a string. I think hes going to play in the NHL next year and be successful on raw ability from the jump. 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. The U17 teams leader in assists and points last year, Perreault has played to nearly two points per game with the U18 team this year. WHL Bantam Draft 2023 - full list of selections with facts and stats. He walks the line and bends coverage as an impressive and tactical power-play quarterback. The biggest arguments against him are his size and skating, since a 5-foot-10 winger often needs to be an above average skater to make an impact in the NHL and Cristall is not quite there. He has the potential to change the trajectory of an NHL franchise and will likely score a ton of goals along the way. Elite Prospects - CCHL Bantam Protected Draft 2023.