Hell of a performance from Slovakia especially their Tendy! 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. 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. Hes quick side-to-side on little jumps and drags. 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. 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. So far, his offense has only improved, even considering the increased competition. Roman Kantserov, RW (Magnitogorsk) The six lowest-place teams involved in the lottery include the Swift Current Broncos, Moose Jaw Warriors,. 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. Roman Kantserov, LW/C, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL_, 53. 2023 Whl Bantam Draft - Elite Prospects 2023 Whl Bantam Draft Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. And while his game is bullish, hes also got surprising soft skill. Gauthier has cooled off following an incredibly hot start to the QMJHL season production-wise, but his smart and reliable habits have not changed. He has shown a knack for making big plays at big moments. Four 2005-born standout defenders in the CHL, Breaking down four top 2005 forwards in the WHL, Six WHL Players from the 2021 Draft selected outside of the Top-10 whove had early success, The Five Star Hockey Show: 2023 Canada Winter Games Preview, Western Canada Ramblings: NHL and WHL Draft, The Checklist: 2008-born Manitoba players in the WAAA U15, January 2023 WHL Draft Ranking update | Top-80, January Top-80 2023 OHL Draft Ranking Update, Final Thoughts: John Reid Memorial Tournament 2023, 10 Puck Touches: Day Three and Four 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, 10 Puck Touches: Day Two, 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, 10 Puck Touches: Day One 2023 John Reid Memorial Tournament, The Checklist: Seven 2008-born Western Canadian Players to Watch, 14 2008-born Defensemen profiles from Sask First Top-160, 2022 WHL Draft Review: From Prince George to Winnipeg, 2023 NHL Draft: Breaking down the WHL Defensemen in the CHL Top Prospects game. Evasive. Smith has turned the top-four of this draft into a top-five. Hes the go-to center for the Cougars in the faceoff circle. Max Domi (F) Id like to see him go past effective and really take over more, but he makes his fair share of plays, hes a sub-.500 teams leading scorer, and it does feel like he has middle-six centre written all over him. Hameenaho has the strength and stick skills to not just battle well, but win puck battles and keep possession alive for his team. There was a time when folks thought Musty was the best American-born 2005 prospect and while thats no longer the case theres still a lot to get excited about. But for now, here are my top-64 prospects for the 2022 Draft. Calgary, Alta. Hes as fun to watch with the puck on his stick as almost anyone in this draft. Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) 2. 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 . Problem-solving. Go Premium for Elite Prospects Support. For all the talk about how strong the 2022 draft class was for Slovakia, Dvorsky leads another excellent group into 2023. Note: Though I consult scouts, coaches, general managers, team staff, and agents in building my draft boards, the following evaluations are strictly my own. His gifts in control of the puck are undeniable. Logan Cooley, C, U.S. National U18. Hes a good skater and should pick up another step as he gets stronger. 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 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). There are the little delays and stutters he uses to create separation and get to his spots. Carson Bjarnasson, G, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), 47. Brindley is a 5-foot-9 forward who has been quite good in the NCAA as an 18-year-old, a very impressive feat. Sign up for EP Premium to create your own ranking. If he were a little bigger, hed be a scouts dream. 17, is one of the top prospects for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft , even though he was denied exceptional status by the WHL in 2019. And while hell fade in stretches, the talent level is clear. WHL Bantam Draft 2023 - full list of selections with facts and stats. Hes got an impressive one-timer from the right flank and can really lean into and rip his catch-and-release or in-stride wrister. 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Hes got poise and patience on the puck. His statistical profile is really strong and continued progress in his skating (which has also noticeably improved this year) will keep it that way into the NHL. 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. 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. Western Hockey 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). Hell make plays to the inside from the perimeter on one shift, and then go right to the guts of the ice to make something happen in a congested area the next. The Chiefs hold the first-overall selection, as determined by the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery on June 2, 2021. If he can keep up that pace then he could very well lock himself in as the second best prospect in the draft. The only player to ever score at a rate of two points per game on the U18 team for a full season is Jack Hughes, you might have heard of him. Beckett Hendrickson, C (NTDP) 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. Final Thoughts: John Reid Memorial Tournament 2023 Joel Henderson. 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. The bantam draft allows for the orderly transfer of players to WHL Protected Player Lists (PPL) from the bantam ranks (13-14 year-olds). He can beat you flying out wide. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. Welcome to my March ranking of the top 64 prospects eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft. 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). I think hes going to play in the NHL next year and be successful on raw ability from the jump. 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. Last season, I didnt start viewing the 2022 WHL Draft class closely until after Christmas time and Ive thought about that quite a bit when getting used to viewing this 2023 class of players in comparison. All 22 WHL Clubs participated in the four-phase lottery . He is a mobile defenseman who fits the mold of the modern puck-moving defender and power play quarterback. 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. 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! A Maine Black Bears commit, Nadeau creates offence in a variety of ways, bursting wide or pulling away from defenders in transition with his quick feet, taking the puck right at or through coverage with his maneuverability, or leaning into a pinpoint shot (whether off of catch-and-releases, standstill shooting mechanics off the flank on the power play or through his one-timer which the Vees have tried to open by playing him, a right-handed shot, on his off-wing this season). There are times when he can wait too long to make his decisions and I wouldnt call him creative, but he makes good choices more often than hes careless with it and he has progressed really rapidly for a kid who doesnt turn 18 until a couple of weeks from now. However, his real calling card is his shot which ranks near the top of the draft class in terms of deception and power. 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. 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. Melker Karlsson (F) SHL. NHL. More and more his game has shown dimension inside the offensive zone so that he can make things happen shift after shift out of all of his effort plays up and under sticks. 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. Koehn Ziemmer is another pro-built winger who loves to shoot the puck hard whenever given the chance. When he does go there, too, Ive seen him show that dexterity he has getting sticks on tips and redirects. 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. For some, it will be. He has produced solid offense so far this year for the USA U-18 team which is made more impressive by the fact that he is usually playing on the second line behind the Smith, Moore, Perreault trio. He has also learned to use the attention his shot gets as a tool to open up passing and find linemates at the backdoor with blind passes through seams. Name. 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. Gauthier, the No. 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. 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. 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. Carlssons a big kid who has begun to come into his body (hes 6-foot-3 and 198 pounds), buthes also got slick handling and finesse for a forward his size, regularly finding his way through traffic or around it by out-waiting defenders one-on-one in shielded puck protection off of his hip. You want the play to run through his hands and brain. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. 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. 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. Ondrej Molnar, LW (Erie) However, first-year bantams had been playing at the peewee level the previous year, and in order to list first-year bantams, WHL Clubs needed to scout the peewee ranks. 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. Arttu Karki, LD, Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 49. Last added: Carter Joo. 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. Theres a lot to work with though. He can beat you along the wall on the cycle. And yet most believe hes the third-most compelling and projectable prospect on USAs top line. The combination of his skating, shot, and playmaking skills makes him a true offensive weapon. Ravndahl spent parts of three seasons with the Prince Albert Mintos program, recording 25 points in 50 games played. If he were guaranteed to be coming to the NHL next fall, a centre, and an inch or two taller, hed have a nearly perfect profile for me. This year, though he has struggled defensively in his limited minutes in the KHL, he has looked dominant at both ends in his returns to the MHL and comfortable in the second-tier VHL. Slick. Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha Lancers (USHL), 61. Theres his variety of shooting stances above and beyond that pop off of his hip (right down to his curl-and-drag, his one-timer, and his feel off of his backhand). 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 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 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. With the 268th overall selection (Round 13) the Vancouver Giants have selected 2007-born defender Chloe Primerano (North Vancouver, BC) in the 2022 @TheWHL Prospects Draft. 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. Hes not just the energy guy though either. 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. Ritchie is the complete package. 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.