pic.twitter.com/OOjR1KDavy. Barlow plays a direct, intentional game built around great hands, a physically mature pro frame, and an NHL shot (he can cleanly beat goalies from mid-range). Hes an up-tempo playmaker and dynamic skater (in straight lines, through his three-step acceleration from a standstill, and around corners through his crossovers) who looks to involve himself more than you might expect at his size. Im less and less convinced of that. 5 pick into the WHL, was a point-per-game player and one of Brandons top producers last season before being named captain for his draft year. Western Hockey League completes 2022 WHL U.S. Hell make plays through seams. When hes around it, he can be a handful. He has gone from point-per-game U17 season (the only player on that team to do so) to nearly two points per game in his U18 campaign. We sometimes see draft-eligible D play their full draft year in a professional league. He has also taken a step forward in terms of production, placing him firmly as one of the top-20 scorers in the WHL. ), the CHLs leader in goals per game, assists per game, points per game, and shots per game. 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. Etienne Morin, LD, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL), 50. There has been souring on him as a top-10 candidate because of the point-per-game clip he has played at (though in saying that scouts still have a lot of respect for his game) but I expect his production to take a big leap next season. His gifts in control of the puck are undeniable. Of course, there are also some prospects who dropped in this edition of my rankings, including Brayden Yager and David Reinbacher. Bedards statistical profile speaks for itself: 28 points in 15 games as a 15-year-old in the WHL, two points per game at U18 worlds as a double underager, 51 goals and 100 points on a dreadful team at 16, six goals in four games at U18 Worlds as an underager this time (in what wasnt even his best hockey), 13 goals and 31 points in 14 world juniors games (after forcing his way onto the first of those three teams by torching the selection camp), and now, as a 17-year-old who wont turn 18 until July (we can almost forget that! Western Hockey League makes changes to upcoming draft 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 - Elite Prospects 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. Related: Every NHL Teams Top Prospect Midseason Update. He draws tons of attention in the offensive zone and is great at making smart plays under pressure to help open teammates up to make their jobs easier. To say he has met those expectations would be a profound understatement. WHL Draft Territory Alberta - British Columbia - Manitoba - Northwest Territories - Saskatchewan - Yukon Alaska - Arizona - California - Colorado - Hawaii - Idaho - Kansas - Minnesota - Montana - Nebraska - Nevada - New Mexico - North Dakota - Oklahoma - Oregon - South Dakota - Texas - Utah - Washington - Wyoming With the World Junior Hockey Championship coming. 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. The midseason ranking divides into six tiers. Theres just this elusiveness to his game where you never know where hes going with the puck. He is very intentional with his routes, offensively and defensively, which should help him stick at the centre position long term. 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - Elite Prospects Gauthier, the No. NHL Entry Draft -3005 - full list of selections with facts and stats. He just has a unique ability to impose his will on the game. Welcome to my March ranking of the top 64 prospects eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft. 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). Scott Ratzlaff, G (Seattle) 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. Hes strong. 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. Hes a good skater and should pick up another step as he gets stronger. Last season was certainly a strange one for WHL scouts as they anticipated the task of two drafts in one calendar year. The Clubs that miss the playoffs are placed into a lottery for the 1st round only. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Noel Nordh, LW (Brynas) 2 pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection and an OHL First All-Rookie Team member. Hes got quick hands and instincts, with standout puck control and shading. Michkov is, without question or hesitation, the best prospect Ive ever ranked at No. Bradly Nadeau, C, Penticton Vees (BCHL), 39. All-Time Trophies & Winners. Hes an entry machine driving play through the neutral zone and across the line in control. He is a mobile defenseman who fits the mold of the modern puck-moving defender and power play quarterback. - The Western Hockey League announced today the Spokane Chiefs will select first overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft following the completion of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery. He has scored some highlight-reel goals in the WHL but he also excels at finding pockets of space off of coverage and remaining involved on offence and defence. 3 pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Youll commonly see him activate to lead plays into the offensive zone and create something. 2023 NHL Draft top 64 prospects: Scott Wheeler's March ranking. Jakub Vrna (F) NHL. 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. Hes also outscoring most of the WHL for that matter, dominating the opposition when he has possession. 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. When he tries things and he often does hes never trying them out of desperation but rather intention. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) cares about your privacy. Hes got unbelievably quick hands and the loose grip that all great handlers have. 2023 WHL Draft Ranking Update: . WHL Draft - WHL Prospects 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. 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. His skating also continues to improve (hes not fast, but hes an above-average skater for his size by my measure and it shouldnt be preventative in him reaching his NHL upside). Theres a lot of belief out there that hes going to be a good, well-rounded NHLer. Connor McDavid (F) He is a special player and looks like he will become a franchise-defining player for whoever selects him, when he finally makes it to North America that is. 2023 NHL draft - Rankings, FAQs and how to watch For the 2010 bantam draft, players born in 1995 may be selected. Hes a crafty handler who hangs onto pucks to spin away from pressure, attacks in and out of crowds, makes plays into space for himself, and can comfortably make plays through layers to others. 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. Hes got really quick side-to-side hands, a hardshot that rattles off of his stick, and quick crossover patterns that allow him to use those hands to get to places where he can look to shoot. Elite Prospects - CCHL Bantam Protected Draft 2023. And this season theres no doubt: Hes the best forward on arguably the CHLs most talented team at forward. 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). He excels in puck battles, whether along the boards or in front of the net, even against grown men in Finland. Roman Kantserov, RW (Magnitogorsk) Hesa clever beyond belief, maneuverable facilitator and playmaker who plays the game with a light touch and a heady spatial awareness of not only where his teammates are, but where he is in the flow of play (and relative to defenders). . 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). Hes eager physically. 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). 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. (Maksim Konstantinov / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images), how strong the 2022 draft class was for Slovakia. I expect him to become a top point producer in college at the University of North Dakota, too. With the puck on his stick, hes a treat to watch. Roman Kantserov, LW/C, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL_, 53. Carson Bjarnasson, G, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), 47. The Rebels' first game was on September 25, 1992, in Red Deer against the Prince Albert Raiders (the Rebels won 6 to 3 in front of 5,240 fans). The way he patrolled the blue line for Sweden on the powerplay was very impressive and the trust that he earned from his coaches as a 17-year-old spoke volumes. he wants the puck in the offensive zone and has the skill and shot to make things happen when teammates find him off the point or as the trailer off the rush. One of my favourites in this class, Cristall isa creative, slippery playmaker who isnt afraid to try things and possesses a rare ability to hang onto pucks, pull eyes and bodies towards him, and then expose opposing structures to the weak side of coverage. Gabriel Szturc, C (Kelowna) While that bent-sideways cannon that he has off of his right hip is his defining quality, its not the only tool he has that is singular, either. Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. with the Wolverines). 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. 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. Caden Price, LD, Kelowna Rockets (WHL), 35. Hes also a strong skater who is light on his edges, builds speed quickly into flight to put defenders on their heels and/or create separation, leads a lot of neutral-zone carries into entries, and makes plays into space for himself or his linemates at pace. Wood is 6-foot-3 so his ability to make plays in tight to his skates at speed while maintaining control is very impressive for his size. Elite Prospects - Erste Liga Stats 2023-2024 Hell of a performance from Slovakia especially their Tendy! His performance at the 2023 World Juniors helped his draft stock a bit, though Austria was dominated by every team they played against. 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 currently leads the Giants in scoring and is among the top scorers in the WHL at large. After the season, the WHL holds a draft specifically to allow teams to add bantam players in an orderly manner to their protected lists. WHL Network Tigers sign Gavin McKenna, first overall selection in 2022 WHL Prospects Draft 9 months ago Once he refines his game some more and adds more muscle as he ages, watch out. 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. Without further ado, lets get into the January edition of my 2023 NHL Draft Rankings. This ranking follows my way-too-early top 26 and my preseason top 32 (released in August). Reinbacher had a solid tourney on a bad team despite dealing with an illness the entire time. 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. 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. After scoring 30 goals as a rookie in the OHL last season, Colby Barlow has been on my radar as a pro-sized winger with a legit NHL-caliber shot. 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. While hes got some work to do to get a little quicker from the jump in the games 10-foot races, he does have some power and balance through his stride to build upon and skates pretty well for his size and age. His skating is a bit of a weakness with less-than-ideal speed, but he more than makes up for it with his offensive creativity and hands. He plans things out on the ice at speed and then finds ways to make his desired play. Logan Cooley, C, U.S. National U18. Problem-solving. DraftPro's #1 prospect for the 2023 NHL entry draft, Connor Bedard finished the 2021/22 . 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). 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. His release is lightning-quick. Publishing date 2023-01-18 User Anonymous Views 922 Favorited 0 Share Embed 2023 Whl Bantam Draft 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. 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. There have been Lane Hutson (2022 Draft), Olen Zellweger (2021 Draft), Logan Stankoven (2020 Draft), and Cole Caufield (2019 Draft), to name a few. I think hes going to be a star regardless. Wins it in OT for !!! Martin Misiak, RW/LW (Youngstown) Hes a very responsible defender who shuts down tons of rush attempts with an active stick and stellar positioning.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. Not Logan Cooley. His playmaking and shot arent exceptional, but theyre both good enough to be reasonably sure that his offense would translate to the NHL some day. The combination of Michkovs position and the uncertainty around Russias invasion of Ukraine and his contract in the KHL with SKA (which is signed through to the end of the 2025-26 season and has been loaned out to Sochi after he reportedly forced his way out in search of greater opportunity) could complicate where he goes on draft day, but he still belongs here. Scott Wheeler covers the NHL draft and prospects nationally for The Athletic. A number of years ago, WHL Clubs were allowed to list first-year bantam players as of a set date in September. Lenni Hameenaho has been an early riser this year, establishing himself as a prospect to watch while playing in the Finnish Liiga where he has scored at roughly a half point per game pace as a draft year player. Note: Though I consult scouts, coaches, general managers, team staff, and agents in building my draft boards, the following evaluations are strictly my own. Auston Matthews had Patrik Laine, Jack Hughes had Kaapo Kakko, and Alexis Lafreniere had Quinton Byfiled, its hard for top prospects to separate themselves from the pack but Bedard has done just that.WELCOME TO THE BEDARD SHOW! 2023 NFL Mock Draft . Brindleys a plus-level skater who gets through his extensions quickly (including from a standstill), excels on his edges, rounds corners sharply, and darts around the ice, hunting pucks and pushing through holes. Gauthier has cooled off following an incredibly hot start to the QMJHL season production-wise, but his smart and reliable habits have not changed. 2002 Rankings. C Berkly Catton - Spokane Chiefs, WHL (2024 Draft) The U18 teams first line of Smith, Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault has been piling up points and attention (deservedly so) this year, but Ive been as impressed by Moore and the offence he has created as the focal point of its second line. When you package all of that skill with a dogged work ethic that keeps him around pucks all the time, and youve gota tremendous player. 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). 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. All 22 WHL Clubs participated in the four-phase lottery . - The Western Hockey League announced today the results of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery will be broadcast in a free WHL Live event Thursday, April 21 at 2 p.m. MT. Denver Barkey, C, London Knights (OHL), 63. David Edstrom, C (Frolunda) NHL Draft Rankings: Horn's Top 64 for January Cam Squires, RW (Cape Bretton) Tristan Bertucci, LHD (Flint) Publishing date 2022-12-21 User Anonymous Views 12926 Favorited 2 Share Embed 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 Reinbacher has fallen slightly on my list through no fault of his own, but because of the excellent play of prospects around him. At this point I think his offensive abilities will at least make him a power play threat even if his skating never catches up. Hes got everything else you look for in a dynamic play creator, too. 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. 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. He can pick apart opposing defenses with pin-point passes and sly fakes, and his effort level is admirable. There are the little delays and stutters he uses to create separation and get to his spots. Dylan McLaughlin (F) AHL. I wondered if my thoughts were altered by the late start and had an effect on how I viewed. 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. Hes the go-to center for the Cougars in the faceoff circle. 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. The . In order to get away from scouting peewees, the WHL instituted a bantam draft. The WHL Bantam Draft is an annual outing, in which the Clubs of the Western Hockey League select players who have graduated from bantam. Get the inside scoop on the top prospects in the world with our comprehensive grading system and access to career stats, data, and news stories . There are many whove settled on Perreault as more of a mid-to-late-round first because of the combination of his skinny frame and the linemates he plays with. He has even driven results at both ends in those minutes, with a positive goal differential on an under-.500 team that has been outscored pretty significantly on the whole this season. 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. Its not often we see players his size who can move like him. 4 pick in the 2019 Bantam draft (a year ahead of when most of the plethora of other top WHL names on this list were selected). 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. Name. His consistent game-to-game impact, whenever Ive sat down to do watch the 2005s at the NTDP on tape, has struck me as well. 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). Fantilli is a big, strong, powerful kid who takes pucks from the wall to the interior with force, and ease, and speed. Calum Ritchie has great puck skills and sometimes it looks like he has glued the puck to his stick while carving through defenders or when hes on a breakaway. Ziemmer often seems to have the puck on a string and thats part of why he has been one of the leading scorers in the WHL this year as a 17-year-old. Hes always moving. That continued to start this year as he struggled to have a real impact with the Badgers early on as a freshman (albeit it a young one, and albeit on a bad/at-times lost team). 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. Cameron Allen, RD, Guelph Storm (OHL), 62. WHL Club Protected Player Lists - WHL Prospects We believe in fully disclosing the methods to which we collect and use your personal information. Reinbacher is a 6-foot-2 defender with a right-handed shot and great mobility who is playing lots of minutes in the National League (NL), Switzerlands top professional mens league. 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. League. 1. Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) 2. I think hell stick at centre, too (nice to see him at 53 percent in the circle so far this year). 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. 2023 NHL Draft: Baracchini's Top 64 January Rankings January 13, 2023 by Peter Baracchini Welcome back to my 2023 NHL Draft Rankings. Eventually, when the points pile up like they have, and they happen making the kinds of plays that he does, you cant ignore them. 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. The top 50 drafted NHL prospects ranking, 2023 edition:1. I cant think of a first overall pick so far above the rest of the competition since Connor McDavid back in 2015, of course some tried to argue for Jack Eichel (as they do now for Adam Fantilli), but that argument doesnt hold up well. He was the No. 2023 NHL Draft: Baracchini's Top 64 January Rankings Hes gotdecent hands when he pushes through the middle. as a small but highly-involved forward who plays the game with energy and pace, making little skill plays between coverage. pic.twitter.com/ZNwH9wYcC0 Pavel Barber (@HeyBarber) January 3, 2023, WELCOME TO THE BEDARD SHOW! 2022 WHL Prospects Draft Tracker - Vancouver Giants He hasnt looked out of place against men and has scored points at an excellent rate so far for a draft eligible player.