whl bantam draft rankings 2023 whl bantam draft rankings 2023

When you think youve got him trapped, you usually dont. Yager is a prospect that I fully expect to still be drafted very early on draft day, I just havent been that impressed with his game this year. Timur Mukhanov, LW (Omsk) 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). 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. Connor McDavid (F) I have questions about his talent level, though. The biggest question following Reinbachers great performance last year in the Swiss League (SL), the second-tier Swiss professional league, was if he had more offense in his game to show. Michkov is, without question or hesitation, the best prospect Ive ever ranked at No. 2022 WHL Prospects Draft - First Round Order of Selection 1) Medicine Hat Tigers 2) Tri-City Americans 3) Victoria Royals 4) Calgary Hitmen 5) Swift Current Broncos 6) Regina Pats 7) Vancouver Giants 8) Spokane Chiefs 9) Prince George Cougars 10) Prince Albert Raiders 11) Lethbridge Hurricanes 12) Brandon Wheat Kings 13) Saskatoon Blades Theres the pinpoint accuracy from impossible angles. Gauthier brings a lot to the table. Hes also got an accurate shot from midrange, and regularly picks corners. Without further ado, lets get into the January edition of my 2023 NHL Draft Rankings. His June birthday makes him one of the younger players on this list and he has already accomplished a lot, including leading a Slovak Hlinka Gretzky Cup team that featured Juraj Slafkovsky and Filip Mesar in scoring as an underager, producing well above a point per game in Swedens J20 level last year, and now producing in his draft year in the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan (while clicking at two points per game in stints back down at J20). He skates quite well for his size, hes got good hands and dexterity, hes got great feel and sense for the pressures that exist on the ice, and hes by all accounts a great teammate and kid who is coachable and pays attention to the details of the game. Hes got gallops, cutbacks, crossovers, all of it. Crafty is the best word to describe his game. 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 - Elite Prospects 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. Wins it in OT for !!! I think hes going to play in the NHL next year and be successful on raw ability from the jump. Hes eager physically. Hes just a natural creator for himself and others who manufactures offence in a variety of ways. Jesse Nurmi, LW (KooKoo) Related: Early Look at the 2024 NHL Draft. Charlie Stramel, C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA), 34. The beauty of Brindleys game is that while he may prove talented enough to play in a skill role at the NHL level, hes got the approach/tools to play an effective bottom-six game too. The way he wheels across the top of the circles and then play-makes from the high slot is special. 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. You can also find an additional 32 honourable mentions below. League. 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. Thats three more defencemen than my preliminary ranking, and while none still rank in the top 10 (which would be a first if it holds), theres a trio in the conversation for the 11-20 range and a ton of worthwhile second-round options behind them. ), the CHLs leader in goals per game, assists per game, points per game, and shots per game. Of course, there are also some prospects who dropped in this edition of my rankings, including Brayden Yager and David Reinbacher. He walks the line and bends coverage as an impressive and tactical power-play quarterback. 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. He also hunts pucks and applies pressure with the best of them, and his motor doesnt stop, bouncing from one won battle to the next. 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. 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. Hes got excellent touch and weight on his passes (hes a great saucer passer off of his forehand and backhand, in particular), and does a beautiful job waiting for lanes to open. Hes just a rock-solid, projectable two-way defenceman. Sandin Pellikka had a great showing for Sweden at the World Juniors, and is now probably the favourite to be the first defenseman drafted in 2023. 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 does a good job maintaining gaps and matching opposing forwards step-for-step skating backwards. 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. Gabriel Perrault looks like someone who could be a power play specialist at the next level with great skill and smarts in the offensive zone. Connor Levis, RW (Kamloops) Honzek was on one of the steeper ascents in the draft this season when he suffered a leg injury in Slovakias second game of the world juniors. Alex Ciernik, LW/RW, Sdertlje SK J20 (J20 Nationell), 37. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Hes great along the wall on the cycle, but he can also occasionally make a play that pulls you out of your seat. He can beat you along the wall on the cycle. 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. Hunter Brzustewicz, RD, Kitchener Rangers (OHL), 43. Related: The NHLs Top 100 Prospects Midseason Update. 2023 Whl Bantam Draft - Elite Prospects 2023 Whl Bantam Draft Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. Mike Glemser (F) Germany3. 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. 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. Reinbacher had a solid tourney on a bad team despite dealing with an illness the entire time. Max Domi (F) Gauthier has cooled off following an incredibly hot start to the QMJHL season production-wise, but his smart and reliable habits have not changed. Smith has turned the top-four of this draft into a top-five. Heidt, taken No. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. Still, though he is a dominant junior player and could chase down a 50-goal season this year, its also fair to ask if his advanced growth gives him less runway for improvement (he really does look like a man already). (Maksim Konstantinov / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images), how strong the 2022 draft class was for Slovakia. 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). There arent many players in this draft class whove come along quite like Sandin Pellikka has in the last year or so. 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. 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! Oscar Fisker Molgaard, C (HV71) We sometimes see draft-eligible D play their full draft year in a professional league. 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. Hes a slick one-on-one player. 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. A few of the players who have moved up substantially on this board are Zach Benson, Oliver Moore, and Colby Barlow. This had many drawbacks including the need for extensive scouting systems along with the related expense, as well the added pressure on peewee-aged players (12-13 year-olds). And while his game is bullish, hes also got surprising soft skill. Scott Ratzlaff, G (Seattle) Last year, he led Prince George in goals (30) and finished second in points (57, one back of Heidt). His skills make him very well suited as a center at the next level with good size, a coveted right-handed shot, good defensive habits (kills penalties quite well), and solid faceoff results. The draft's top player this season is a borderline generational talent. Hes gotdecent hands when he pushes through the middle. Hes also a very selfless player for his age who is quick to change in the offensive zone and will sooner make the right play than trying to overdo it. Hes got everything else you look for in a dynamic play creator, too. Cameron Allen, RD, Guelph Storm (OHL), 62. 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. Hes also got some of the quicker hands and better touch on this list. Riley Heidt C, Prince George Cougars, 5-foot-11. Hes a player who has earned the respect of those around the USHL amongst both rival players and staff. And this season theres no doubt: Hes the best forward on arguably the CHLs most talented team at forward. Roman Kantserov, LW/C, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL_, 53. pic.twitter.com/OOjR1KDavy. William Whitelaw, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), 56. The way that Fantilli plays wouldnt really fly in the SHL where you need to be dependable at all times, and Carlssons maturity, reliability, and his clear understanding of what makes him great are the reasons he has succeeded in a top pro league as a teenager. 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. He keeps his head up in the neutral and defensive zones and is a confident puck carrier on exits and entries. Luca Cagnoni, LD, Portland Winterhawks (WHL), 38. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Hes a versatile, hard-working player who excels in pretty much every facet of the game, gets to the middle of the ice, and makes plays around the net through skill and timing. His actual statistical profile is good without being great, though. Reinbacher is looking like a potential top-four mainstay in the NHL with exciting defensive potential. 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - Elite Prospects 2023 WHL Draft Rankings Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. He was theNo. 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. His head is always up and on a swivel and he does a good job pre-surveying the ice when hes going back to get pucks through frequent shoulder checks. 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 Hes also highly creative despite his goal-scoring tilt. 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. All 22 WHL Clubs participated in the four-phase lottery . But at this point in time theres also only one player in the history of the U.S. NTDP who has produced at a higher points per game clip in their draft year than Perreault has this season: Jack Hughes. His transition play and wicked shot make him the most important player on his team on many nights. Denver Barkey, C, London Knights (OHL), 63. 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). 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). 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. 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). The Kamloops Blazers drafted the former Burnaby Winter Club star No. 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. Holding steady at about two points per game, Cristall has already shown improvements following his impressive 69-point WHL rookie season last year. 2023 WHL Draft Ranking Update: . He was the No. Western Hockey League. David Edstrom, C (Frolunda) Beckett Hendrickson, C (NTDP) Still, I would argue hes been a more consistent offensive player for Moose Jaw this season than Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus has been, while playing an off-puck game that is inarguably stronger than Firkus (he has also been a dangerous penalty killer and is decently-strong in the faceoff circle). He has the potential to make a real impact in the NHL as soon as next year considering his success on both ends of the ice in Sweden thus far. Expectations were unfairly high for Connor Bedard coming into his draft year, with the generational talent label floating around in many draft conversations. On top of it all, hes physical, hes strong in the faceoff circle, hell get after it on forecheck and track pucks, he plays with energy, hell pounce on turnovers and be opportunistic. 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. Koehn Ziemmer is another pro-built winger who loves to shoot the puck hard whenever given the chance. 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). Related: Every NHL Teams Top Prospect Midseason Update. One of the most skilled and slippery players in this draft is Andrew Cristall, the only draft eligible player in the WHL who has been able to roughly keep pace with Bedard in terms of production this year. 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. 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. After the 1st round, the Clubs select in order from fewest to most regular season points. This ranking follows my way-too-early top 26, my preseason top 32 (released in August), and my preliminary top 64 (released in November). 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). If he were a little bigger, hed be a scouts dream. 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). It will be followed by my midseason top 64 (released in February), an updated top 32 following U18 Worlds. He doesnt have any one skill that really pops out at you, but I find that hes good at pretty much everything. This kid is as prolific from long distance as any shooter Ive ever scouted. Matvei Michkov might just be the smartest player in this draft class, with an incredible ability to manipulate opposing defenses. His production has been disappointing so far this year, but his talent as a high-skill puck carrier is still clear.Otto Stenberg scores his first SHL goal and point! 2023 NHL Draft: Breaking down the WHL Defensemen in the CHL Top Prospects game Joel Henderson. In fact, its not even the only element of his shooting arsenal that is one of one. Hes a smooth skater. Nicknamed Big Rig when he was at the program, Stramel is a heavy but not doughy kid whoseathletic, muscular build jumps out at you right away. 3 pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. The Clubs that miss the playoffs are placed into a lottery for the 1st round only. 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. Hes also not fast despite his strength, although he has made progress in his skating and does at times look powerful in straight lines. by. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) cares about your privacy. He thrives in transition creating breakaways and putting defenders on their heels with his speed and plays with a ton of confidence and swagger on the puck as a deft handler. There he excelled as the team's number one d-man . Once he refines his game some more and adds more muscle as he ages, watch out. 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. Kalan Lind, C/LW, Red Deer Rebels (WHL), 46. 2020 All rights reserved to Puck Preps. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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 Hes consistent shift-to-shift and game-to-game and while he might lack the dynamism of some of the players in front of him here, he can make plays in a variety of ways on and off the puck and the ice usually tilts in his teams favor when hes out there. Sports Apr 22, 2020 Winnipeg Ice select B.C. 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. This is a multi-part series which we will be releasing over the next couple weeks to give you the readers some insight on whom we feel is the cream of the crop for 2023. When he plays with pace and intention, hes both effective and flashes his skill in all three zones. I love the way he slows down the game, adjusts and maneuvers his frame and shades pucks. 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. 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. Carey Terrance, C (Erie) 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. At the time of writing, he leads all defenseman in points per game and is on pace to have one of the most impressive offensive seasons in league history amongst defensemen of any age, not just draft eligible ones. Publishing date 2022-12-21 User Anonymous Views 12926 Favorited 2 Share Embed 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 WHL Clubs send scouts to watch first-year bantams from the start of the minor hockey season. There have been Lane Hutson (2022 Draft), Olen Zellweger (2021 Draft), Logan Stankoven (2020 Draft), and Cole Caufield (2019 Draft), to name a few. Will Smith has established himself as one of the very best prospects in this draft with his continued dominance as a member of the United States National Team Development Program where he is scoring just under two points per game. The WHL Bantam Draft is only one step in this process. Welcome to Draft Prospects Hockey's introduction to the 2023 NHL Draft Class series. There has been a lot of hockey since my. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Within his movement patterns, he can handle the puck on a string. The Bantam Draft Lottery will determine the order of selection for the first six picks. Bedard has crushed all expectations this year and has firmly planted himself in the first overall position. This may be a little low given that, but also underscores the strength of this draft. Scott Wheeler covers the NHL draft and prospects nationally for The Athletic. He too often looks like the third guy on his line. His consistency, effort, speed, and skill make him a coachs dream even though he doesnt have the dynamic offensive qualities of some of his peers. Theres a lot of belief out there that hes going to be a good, well-rounded NHLer. 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. Luke Hughes3-50 (plus full evaluations, 55 honourable mentions, player tiers, and more at @TheAthletic): https://t.co/JpsFEKs7Ax, Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) February 13, 2023. Logan Cooley2. 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. Its powerful when it needs to be and light and adjustable when it needs to be. 1 pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins posted). Roman Kantserov, RW (Magnitogorsk) WHL Bantam Draft 2023 - full list of selections with facts and stats. The bantam draft allows for the orderly transfer of players to WHL Protected Player Lists (PPL) from the bantam ranks (13-14 year-olds). 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. I dont see a lot to nitpick in either his tools or his approach. 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. 3 pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. with the Wolverines). 2023 NFL Mock Draft . Oliver Bonk, RD, London Knights (OHL), 48. 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. Final Thoughts: John Reid Memorial Tournament 2023 Joel Henderson. I wondered if my thoughts were altered by the late start and had an effect on how I viewed. Good habits away from the puck lead me to believe he will be a reliable NHLer with top-six forward upside. Hell of a performance from Slovakia especially their Tendy! 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. He buzzes around the ice and does such a good job releasing from one battle or chance to hunting or getting open for the next one. Arttu Karki, LHD (Tappara) 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. He has also begun to fill out his frame, which has helped turn him into a diligent, relied-upon two-way player off the puck. 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. On the puck, hes a multi-faceted playmaker who often looks like the player who was the No.