I love the way he slows down the game, adjusts and maneuvers his frame and shades pucks. The Bantam Draft Lottery will determine the order of selection for the first six picks. Bradly Nadeau, C, Penticton Vees (BCHL), 39. Its not often we see players his size who can move like him. 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. The WHL Bantam Draft is an annual outing, in which the Clubs of the Western Hockey League select players who have graduated from bantam. Hes a player who has earned the respect of those around the USHL amongst both rival players and staff. Hes a commanding offensive defenceman who is at his best when hes looking to take charge with his feet. He was theCHL Rookie of the Year (on 34 goals). The 18-year-old has accumulated 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 60 games so far this season. 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. 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. It will be followed by my midseason top 64 (released in February), an updated top 32 following U18 Worlds. He was the CHL Rookie of the Year (on 34 goals). Hes a marvel, with legit 50-goal upside at the next level. 2023 is obviously way far out but 8 Sask . 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). 2023 NHL Draft top 64 prospects: Scott Wheeler's March ranking. 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. Roman Kantserov, RW (Magnitogorsk) Hes got some of the best soft skill in the draft. Publishing date 2022-11-14 User Ryan Crawford Views 1955 Favorited 1 Share Embed 2023 Whl Draft Projected Rankings Koehn Ziemmer is another pro-built winger who loves to shoot the puck hard whenever given the chance. Wood is a rangy, goal-scoring forward who has silky hands for his size (considering the long stick he uses, hes got great control on the toe of his blade out wide and the heel in tight to his feet), a marksmans shot inside the offensive zone (both through a natural shooting motion and his one-timer), and a sixth sense for arriving around the net/slot at the right time. Publishing date 2023-01-18 User Anonymous Views 922 Favorited 0 Share Embed 2023 Whl Bantam Draft He uses his body to gain inside positioning on defenders and shields pucks effectively. 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. Hes a smooth skater. Only time will tell if they can do the same for him as a pro. Hes a first-round talent. Hedid that after notching five points in five games at lastyears Hlinka Gretzky Cup as a young 16-year-old, too. Honzek has played and succeeded on both special teams this year and his size and strength have made him too much for opposing defenders to handle on more than a few occasions. And while hes probably not going to be a star at the next level, I like Ziemmer as a potential second-line winger who can contribute offensively in a variety of ways. His performance at the 2023 World Juniors helped his draft stock a bit, though Austria was dominated by every team they played against. Benson has been electric for the Western Hockey Leagues (WHL) Winnipeg Ice this year, and has been the teams best player more often than not even though teammates Conor Geekie and Matthew Savoie were both selected in the top-11 of the 2022 Draft. Then he got back in late February and after a pointless return put up two goals on six shots in his second game back. Adam Fantilli is an absolute monster with the puck, with the skill, skating, and strength to beat defenders no matter how they attack him. Maxim Strbak, RD, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL), 40. Selected first overall in the WHL bantam draft that year, he played 22 games with the Winnipeg Ice in 2019-20 when he became . That will limit concerns about his height (he certainly hasnt played small in his freshman year so far). 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. Problem-solving. He wants to hang onto the puck and make plays but hell also hurry it up and dominate in and out of give-and-goes. 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. 2 pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection and an OHL First All-Rookie Team member. He was more impressive than his already-impressive 61-points-in-68-games season last year (where he led the Cougars in scoring), and the same is true in his strong production on a middle-of-the-pack Cougars team this year. If he can add another gear (or two) to his max speed, Benson would be an absolute force in transition. 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 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. DraftPro's #1 prospect for the 2023 NHL entry draft, Connor Bedard finished the 2021/22 . Luca Cagnoni, LD, Portland Winterhawks (WHL), 38. Scouts are having a tough time slotting him due primarily to so-so production this season (though staff with Frolunda insist he has been better than his numbers at the J20 level and that has been reflected in several stints with the SHL. Barlow was also named Captain of the Owen Sound Attack at just 17 which speaks to his maturity and leadership abilities. Hes a multi-dimensional forward who has quick acceleration, can handle the puck at speed and change tempos in control, can shape play by opening up his hips to go heel-to-heel, thrives in traffic, is a dual shot-pass threat, plays one step ahead of the game in possession, supports the play effectively, problem-solves as well as anyone in this class (in an age group that is full of intelligent playmakers), works his tail off off the puck to keep his energy up (he plays heavier and scrappier than he looks, too), and sets the pace for his line (whether by picking it up or slowing it down to use his creativity). And while hell fade in stretches, the talent level is clear. Hes also dangerous inside the offensive zone from the top of the circles in, with a quick-release wrister (one of the faster releases in the draft) that comes off of his blade hard and with a slight, goalie-fooling adjustment pre-shot, impressive puck skill in congested areas, an ability to attack in bursts and make something happen out of dead plays, and an equal ability to play off of coverage and make himself available for his linemates. Tuomas Uronen, RW (HIFK), (Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photos: Jamie Crawford, Minas Panagiotakis, Dennis Pajot / Getty Images). Hameenaho has the strength and stick skills to not just battle well, but win puck battles and keep possession alive for his team. Brindley is a 5-foot-9 forward who has been quite good in the NCAA as an 18-year-old, a very impressive feat. I love him on the half-wall/point on the PP with his ability to hit east-west seams (he just seems to see every lane and opening). Database: 1 002 208 players . And he always seems to be around it. 2023 NFL Mock Draft . He can push into space. His combination of speed and effort will make him a very flexible player who can fill in whatever role is needed of him, which has earned him the second-line center spot for a stacked University of Michigan team. He regularly makes difficult plays as a passer, demonstrating high-end spatial awareness and often finding second or even third options (constantly pre-scanning and shoulder-checking). 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. But for now, here are my top-64 prospects for the 2022 Draft. Some scorers tunnel-vision the net and even though the goalie is his focus, theres a lot to his game between the offensive-zone blue line and the shot he takes thats inventive. 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. This year, after getting off to a bit of a slow start (one goal and five points in his first eight games), he has really come on. with the Wolverines). Hes a good skater and should pick up another step as he gets stronger. 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. . Chloe Primarano is the first ever female to be selected in a WHL Bantam Draft. 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 - Elite Prospects 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - TOP 50 Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. The pro build, mentality and scoring tools are very appealing though and there will be teams that fall in love with his game/makeup. With a little more consistency and some maturity, theres a top-six playmaking winger there. 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). Related: Early Look at the 2024 NHL Draft. He doesnt have any one skill that really pops out at you, but I find that hes good at pretty much everything. He can slow it down and pick things apart or hurry up his passes through holes. 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. When hes around it, he can be a handful. 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). Oliver Bonk, RD, London Knights (OHL), 48. While his game doesnt have the dynamism of the other kids in this loaded WHL class, most scouts project Danielson as an everyday top-nine NHL center. Noel Nordh, LW (Brynas) His skating is balanced. Hes got one of the best shooting actions in motion Ive ever seen. For the 2010 bantam draft, players born in 1995 may be selected. 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. The show will also include the unveiling of WHL Divisional Award Winners and All-Star Teams for the 2021-22 WHL season. "The Mintos program was great. All-Time Trophies & Winners. 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 . 10 Puck Touches: . 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. Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha Lancers (USHL), 61. 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. The Kamloops Blazers drafted the former Burnaby Winter Club star No. WHL Network Tigers sign Gavin McKenna, first overall selection in 2022 WHL Prospects Draft 9 months ago as a small but highly-involved forward who plays the game with energy and pace, making little skill plays between coverage. 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. 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). Eventually, when the points pile up like they have, and they happen making the kinds of plays that he does, you cant ignore them. I was eager to see how Matthew Wood would adjust to the college game after dominated the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) where he led the league in goals and points as a 16-year-old. When you spend some time watching him and asking around about him, you quickly realize why. Sports Apr 22, 2020 Winnipeg Ice select B.C. I have questions about his talent level, though. He currently leads the Giants in scoring and is among the top scorers in the WHL at large. He can beat you flying out wide. 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). Though hes not big, he plays hard and engages in battles in the defensive zone with some sneaky strength. Hes strong. 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). Regardless, it is always impressive to see a draft-year player earning serious minutes in the KHL, especially a defenseman, and Simashev might just have the highest defensive potential in the whole draft. Hes not the hardest-working working player defensively, nor the fastest skater, but he always seems to be lurking around the play (and the puck) anyways and his skill level pops from there. 2023 WHL Draft Rankings - Elite Prospects 2023 WHL Draft Rankings Add to Favorites This is a custom user-submitted ranking. His transition play and wicked shot make him the most important player on his team on many nights. Related: The NHLs Top 100 Prospects Midseason Update. Hes also highly creative despite his goal-scoring tilt. Evasive. Im a big fan of his and hes still my top ranked defenseman in this draft, it has just become harder to rank him above certain forward prospects who have really begun to establish themselves. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) cares about your privacy. His gifts in control of the puck are undeniable. Kalan Lind, C/LW, Red Deer Rebels (WHL), 46. Ethan Gauthier is one of the most consistent players in this draft class in terms of effort and habits, not just production. Adam Gajan, G, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), 55. Related: Every NHL Teams Top Prospect Midseason Update. I think theres a small chance he becomes a star or close with the right development, too. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. 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. 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. 1. 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). 2020 All rights reserved to Puck Preps. 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). Last year, he led Prince George in goals (30) and finished second in points (57, one back of Heidt). Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) 2. Hell make the soft play to the middle of the ice from the perimeter, or go there to get to rebounds or position himself on screens/tips. I think hes going to play in the NHL next year and be successful on raw ability from the jump. He has struggled in spurts with the pace required of centres at higher levels (whether that be last summers world juniors, or the pro game, he could stand to get and play a little quicker) and some scouts worry about his consistency at five-on-five, but he has shown important progress on that front and showed well at this winters world juniors at evens. 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. There arent many players in this draft class whove come along quite like Sandin Pellikka has in the last year or so. Caden Price, LD, Kelowna Rockets (WHL), 35. Stenberg was, coming into this season, viewed by many as the second-best Swedish prospect in this class to Carlsson after he played to nearly a point per game at the J20 level last year, looked like he belonged as an underager on the national team at U18 worlds, and impressed as Swedens leading scorer captain at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (he also scored two Michigan goals last season and has continued to wear the C for Sweden this season at events like the falls Five Nations in Plymouth, and the World Jr. A Challenge). This past season, he played for the Chicago Cougars of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) and scored 11 points (two goals, nine assists) 10 games. Denver Barkey, C, London Knights (OHL), 63. Martin Misiak, RW/LW (Youngstown) Hes got everything else you look for in a dynamic play creator, too. Hes the go-to center for the Cougars in the faceoff circle. He has now impressed me wherever Ive watched him (NCAA, USHL, Five Nations, U18 Worlds, world juniors, etc.) NHL. He has also shown a little more fire. Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL), 5-foot-10, 187 pounds. Jaden Lipinski, C (Vancouver) 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. The 2023 draft is led by three maybe four A-plus (or close) prospects at the very top, a superb collection of high-end talents at forward behind them that will run deep into the first round and produce additional stars, and better depth on defence and in net than I anticipated when the year started. Mix in a multi-dimensional shooting arsenal and I see top-six upside. Finally, Barlow has been one of the best goal scorers in junior hockey so far this year, scoring 36 goals in just 42 Ontario Hockey League (OHL), a 56-goal pace over the rest of the season. Scott Ratzlaff, G (Seattle) Not Cole Caufield. 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. Axel Sandin Pellikka is a right-handed offensive defenseman who has put up points at a remarkable rate in J20 Nationell, the top Swedish junior league. Slick. He can beat you on the perimeter with his skill (highlighted by excellent one-on-one hands-on defenders). Eduard Sale is a great offensive winger who currently leads all U20 players in scoring as a 17-year-old in the top Czechian professional league. Hes not just the energy guy though either. Perron, who didnt go the popular prep school route in Western Canada, was a terror in Manitobas minor hockey ranks who stepped right into the titanic Steel last season and immediately flashed his skill with the puck, producing 48 points in 63 games to earn USHL All-Rookie Second Team honours.