It’s an exciting time of year in scouting circles.
The three major junior leagues in Canada (QMJHL-OHL-WHL) are dropping the puck on round one of their playoffs this weekend.
South of the border, the NCAA men’s hockey tournament starts Thursday night.
Overseas, the U18 World Championships will be contested at the end of April in Finland.
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Although the season is heading towards its conclusion, there remains a ton of work to be done before the last in-person NHL draft takes place in Las Vegas at the end of June.
With that in mind, here is my latest rankings, which are now 50 (plus) deep:
No. 1: Macklin Celebrini, F, Boston University (NCAA)
Height: 6-feet Weight: 190 pounds
Nothing has changed at the top of the ranking. Macklin Celebrini’s name will be the first one called in June. He’s by far the consensus number one overall prospect.
No. 2: Ivan Demidov, F, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 181 pounds
Demidov’s statistics jump off the page. He’s scored 23G-37A in only 30GP. He’s an offensive talent with a fantastic release and loads of creativity with the puck on his stick. He’s too good to be playing at the junior level in Russia. He started the year in the KHL before an injury put him on the shelf for a couple months, slowing his momentum at the pro level in the process and resulting in Demidov landing in the junior ranks upon his return.
No. 3: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 208 pounds
Levshunov led the Spartans in scoring as a freshman defenceman with 9G-25A in 36GP before the NCAA tournament. Levshunov is a coveted right-shot defenceman. He’s very active offensively, pinching down to extend plays and jumping into the rush every time he identifies an opportunity. His defensive zone detail is a work in progress, but he has posted a plus-26 rating so far this season.
No. 4: Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo (KHL)
Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 211 pounds
It’s not too often a “defensive defenceman” is as highly touted as Silayev, but he’s deserving of a top five ranking for this draft and could go as high as second overall. He’s a massive defender who takes advantage of his stature and long reach to keep opponents away from his crease. He’s also a fantastic skater who has no problem defending against a speed rush, or moving in and out of small areas with his excellent agility.
No. 5: Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 201 pounds
Yakemchuk’s Hitmen team didn’t qualify for the WHL playoffs and due to his birthdate (September 29, 2005) Yakemchuk isn’t eligible for the U18 World Championships in Finland. His season has ended, but what a year he had! Carter is one of the most aggressive risers in my rankings this season. He’s big, mobile, produces offence, and pushes back physically. Yakemchuk ended the season with 30G-41A and scored 10 goals on the power play. He was also whistled for 120 penalty minutes. The right-shot defenceman always competes. He’s involved in the play every time he hits the ice.
No. 6: Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 194 pounds
Dickinson logs a massive amount of ice time playing in London. He’s deployed in all situations, but his primary ice time comes at even strength and the power play. Dickinson is an effortless skater. At times it looks like he isn’t pushing himself to get from point A to point B, but it speaks to the efficiency of his stride. Dickinson possesses high end offensive upside and the ability to quarterback the power play. There are times I would like him to provide more urgency and detail defensively, but it’s also not something I’m concerned won’t improve as he matures. Dickinson produced 18G-52A in the regular season for the Knights.
No. 7: Berkly Catton, F, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 170 pounds
Catton is a dynamic offensive forward who produced 54G–62A for Spokane in the regular season. His defensive commitment has improved alongside his elite offensive element. Catton is deployed in all situations for the Chiefs and finished the regular season plus-15. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Catton selected in the top five of this draft.
No. 8: Zeev Buium, D, Denver (NCAA)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 183 pounds
Buium has had a terrific freshman season at Denver and he also played on Team USA’s gold medal-winning world junior team in Sweden. Buium is extremely competitive. He plays fast. He works to defend his net and push back on opponents, but it’s his elite offensive upside that makes him even more attractive as a prospect. Buium leads all NCAA defencemen with 11G-37A and is in the top 10 in overall NCAA scoring. As noted, Buium brings more than just offence. So far this season he’s posted a tidy plus-32 rating.
No. 9: Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Height: 6-feet Weight: 179 pounds
Parekh is one of the most creative players in the draft. He’s a transitional defenceman who quarterbacks the power play.
No. 10: Cayden Lindstrom, F, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 210 pounds
Lindstrom, unfortunately, has missed the bulk of his season due to injury. He’s a power forward who leans goal scorer more than distributor, but his length and size leads to plays being extended along the wall and out front the net. He’s also the kind of player who can match up against top scoring lines. In the 32 games Lindstrom has played this season, he produced 27G-19A.
No. 11: Tij Iginla, F, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 182 pounds
It wouldn’t surprise me to hear Iginla’s name called inside the top 10, but for now he lands here on my list. Iginla produced 47G-37A for Kelowna in the regular season. He leans goal scorer, but teams shouldn’t sleep on his creative thinking. Iginla has fantastic hockey sense. He moves pucks to open areas of the ice to extend plays and skate off his check. He’s also not a liability defensively. He skates, scores, and recognizes how to play the game responsibly on and off the puck.
No. 12: Liam Greentree, F, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 211 pounds
Greentree plays a power style. Considering his team in Windsor was rebuilding this season, his offensive statistics are all the more impressive. Greentree produced 36G-54A, with 11 of his goals coming on the power play. I’m assuming Greentree will suit up for Team Canada in Finland at the U18 worlds. The extra games will benefit him and his draft status.
No. 13: Cole Eiserman, F, USNTDP
Height: 6-feet Weight: 195 pounds
Eiserman, in my opinion, is the most elite pure shooter in the draft class. He rarely passes up an opportunity to rip a puck on net. He’s especially dangerous one-timing pucks from the weak side flank on the power play. Eiserman is a work in progress defensively, however. His read/react game is improving. He’s making the effort to earn more trust and prove he can at least provide average detail defensively.
No. 14: Konsta Helenius, F, Jukurit (Liiga)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 180 pounds
Helenius played the entire season at the pro level in Finland and produced 14G-22A. He also benefited from his experience suiting up for Finland at the world juniors. Helenius is a diminutive forward who plays the game fast. He leads the power play breakout and attacks the offensive zone with speed. Helenius is hard to defend. He can escape small areas to make plays. He is a play driver who benefits from the “track meet” style of game that is generally played today.
No. 15: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, F, Mora (Allsvenskan)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 194 pounds
I appreciate the growth in Michael’s game this season. He represented Norway at the world juniors, scoring 3G-2A, and has contributed 4G-2A in his most recent 10-game segment playing for Mora at the pro level in Sweden. His speed has gone to another level and his three-zone detail has become more trustworthy. What I especially appreciate is his willingness to battle for pucks, and his positioning awareness. He doesn’t shy away from the hard areas of the ice. He pushes through checks for results.
No. 16: Terik Parascak, F, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 173 pounds
Parascak is an intriguing prospect who produced 43G–62A for the Cougars in the regular season and was also an astounding plus-49. Parascak extends plays along the wall and escapes pressure in small areas. He isn’t the biggest, or strongest, prospect but he’s plenty slippery and hard to defend. His three-zone detail is reliable as well. I’m monitoring him in the playoffs to see how he handles the extra attention that will come. It’s somewhat difficult to put into words but Parascak, despite his statistics, isn’t necessarily a play driver. He’s a play “extender” who capitalizes on his chances when he finds quiet ice to score.
No. 17: Andrew Basha, F, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Height: 6-feet Weight: 185 pounds
Part of the evolution of the Tigers’ roster has been shouldered by Basha. He’s an infectious, energetic, skilled, smart and relentless competitor. He’s one of my favourite prospects to watch in this draft class.
No. 18: Beckett Sennecke, F, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 177 pounds
Sennecke impressed me in the second half of the season when he was tasked with hard matchups against top end teams in the OHL. He produced 27G-41A for the Generals in the regular season and was deployed in all situations. Sennecke is tall and long, but his ability to corral pucks in traffic and make plays in small areas is an element a lot of players his height don’t possess.
No. 19: Sacha Boisvert, F, Muskegon (USHL)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 176 pounds
Boisvert is an intriguing prospect who has plenty of room to add more weight and strength to his frame. He has a fantastic “catch and release.” Pucks are on and off his blade effectively in traffic. His open ice skating is improving, resulting in Boisvert becoming more of a threat off the rush.
No. 20: Igor Chernyshov, F, HC Dynamo Moscow (KHL-MHL)
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 198 pounds
Chernyshov brings a combination of size and skill. He has a gear through the neutral zone in transition and his most attractive element is his potential offensive upside, especially on the power play. Overall, Chernyshov is best described as equal parts shooter and distributor. Defensive detail, effort and awareness ranges at times, though. Chernyshov split time between the KHL and MHL this season. At the KHL level he produced 3G-1A in 34GP. At the MHL (junior) level he scored 13G-15A.
No. 21: Michael Hage, F, Chicago Steel (USHL)
Height: 6-feet Weight: 187 pounds
Through 50 games played, Hage has produced 31G-37A for the Steel. He plays the game quick and fast. Hage is a threat off the rush in transition. His vision in the offensive zone is one of his most elite elements. Defensive detail, and effort tracking back off the puck, ranges and will have to improve before he arrives at the University of Michigan (NCAA). Has time on his side. His offensive element and the pace at which he plays wins out.
No. 22: Cole Hutson, D, USNTDP
Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 165 pounds
Hutson is a somewhat undersized defenceman who possesses fantastic vision with the puck on his stick. He’s a power play quarterback who can be elusive escaping pressure in all three zones. Despite his stature he’s plenty involved defensively, never backs down and defends with purpose. Hutson is heading to Boston University in the fall, the same school where his brother Lane (Montreal Canadiens 62nd overall in 2022) is currently playing.
No. 23: Trevor Connelly, F, Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Height: 6-feet Weight: 156 pounds
Connelly is a light, skilled playmaking forward who has elite vision in the offensive zone. The puck goes through him on the power play. I’m comfortable describing him as a playmaker more than a shooter, but he’s certainly proven capable of scoring goals. So far this season he’s counted 26G–40A. His defensive detail and effort to assist on the backcheck has significant room for improvement. Offence wins out for now, but he’s on the clock to show me he can defend when required.
No. 24: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK Helsinki (Liiga)
Height: 5-foot-9 Weight: 170 pounds
Kiviharju has missed most of the season with injury, but earned the respect of scouts with his past performances. He’s a transitional defenceman who quarterbacks the power play. Kiviharju is a capable defender in his zone. He’s not tall, but he is stocky strong. Playing for Team Finland at the upcoming U18 World Championships will solidify his draft ranking.
No. 25: Adam Jiricek, D, Plzen HC (Czech)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 178 pounds
Jiricek suffered a knee injury at the world juniors and has also missed significant time this season. Before the injury he was struggling to produce offence and it was becoming a concern for me. His best work, arguably, came last year as an underage at the U18’s in Switzerland. When he’s at his best he distributes the puck very well in the offensive zone. He’s a solid skater with sound hockey sense. Jiricek can be used in all situations and has the potential to provide secondary offence.
No. 26: Maxim Masse, F, Chicoutimi Sagueneens
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 186 pounds
Masse ended the regular season producing 36G-39A, with 13 goals coming on the power play. Masse was credited with seven game-winning goals. Good size. Average skater in open ice. His best work comes from the hash marks down in the offensive zone. Rips pucks from the weak side flank on the PP. Also capable of producing from the bumper position and setting up around the crease looking for tips and rebounds.
Leans shooter more than playmaker, but his ability to leverage in the hard areas and extend plays leads to assists. Complements quicker, faster, equally skilled linemates with his approach. Has fantastic puck touch.
No. 27: Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm (OHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight 170 pounds
Luchanko brings more than just offence. He’s a player who can be relied upon in a variety of roles. Listed as a winger, but he plays the majority of his shifts in the middle. On the PP he slots into a role as a quarterback, distributor, shooter, playmaker on the point and leads the breakout. Leans distributor more than shooter, but has an understated and deceptive release with the ability to change the angle of his blade to direct pucks on net. Competes the entire 200 feet. Sturdy strong. Not punishing physically, but also not easy to knock off the play. Very good skater who’s trending up.
No. 28: Ryder Ritchie, F, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 175 pounds
Ritchie missed time with injury this season, but still managed to produce 19G–25A in 47GP for the Raiders. If Prince Albert doesn’t go on a long playoff run, Ritchie could get a call from Hockey Canada for the U18 worlds. He’s an interesting prospect who generally plays the game responsibly in all three zones, moves well, and plays with a mix of skill and will. He pushes back in the trenches. Ritchie scored in streaks this season, making his two-way detail even more important to observe when he wasn’t producing offence.
No. 29: Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 174 pounds
Vanacker is a prospect who has come along over the course of the entire year and is now on the rise, heading towards the draft with momentum. Long and lean. Appears taller than his listed size. Skilled. Equal parts shooter, scorer and distributor. Ended the regular season in Brantford with 36G-46A. In his final 20-game segment he produced 10G-15A, with 10 of those assists being primaries. Threat off the rush. Protects pucks coming off the wall. Goes to the net looking for tips. Quick handles in traffic. He’s aware of and understands his defensive responsibility, but could engage more aggressively at times. Offence wins out and he’s trending towards second line NHL upside.
No. 30: Leo Sahlin-Wallenius, D, Vaxjo U20 (Sweden)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 176 pounds
A mid-sized two-way, transitional defenceman. Excellent skater with an ability to escape pressure in his defensive zone and lead the rush on his own. Average plus defender with adequate push back physically. Power play quarterback who leans distributor more than shooter. There are times when he needs to identify his options more quickly and move pucks to avoid pressure and turnovers. Not elite offensively but certainly capable. Could end up more defined as a two-way defenceman who gets to places ahead of opponents, moves pucks, joins as an extra layer offensively and provides secondary offence.
No. 31: Lucas Pettersson, F, MODO J20 (Sweden)
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 170 pounds
Pettersson is a forward who contributes in a variety of ways. Offensively, he produced 27G–30A at the J20 level in Sweden. When he plays for the U18 national team he’s used in all situations and takes key faceoffs in all three zones. Pettersson is committed defensively. He rotates into shooting lanes effectively on the penalty kill and has good jump to win 50/50 races to pucks. He’s best described as equal parts shooter and distributor and plays the game fast.
No. 32: Henry Mews, D, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Height: 6-feet Weight: 181 pounds
Mews ended the regular season with 15G–46A in 65GP. Defensive detail has improved over the course of the entire season, but his elite element will always be offence. Quarterbacks the power play, has outstanding vision and finds open lanes to make plays either directing the puck on net or distributing. Solid skater who’s deceptive when exiting the defensive zone, leading the rush, and making plays as he enters the offensive zone. Plays with swagger.
No. 33: Julius Miettinen, C, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 203 pounds
Plays to a consistent identity, bringing a combination of size and power. Good skater who is hard to bump off pucks in the tough areas. Leans shooter more than distributor. Has a quick release and shoots it hard and accurately. Dangerous on the power play.
No. 34: Adam Jecho, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 197 pounds
Jecho ended the year in Edmonton with the Oil Kings, where he produced 23-24A on the season. He’s on the rise. A big body whose skating has improved to where he’s a threat off the rush when he’s up to speed. Solid edges. Primary ice time comes at even strength and power play, but he’s capable on the penalty kill, too.
Despite his stature he isn’t overly physical. He boxes out opponents, but doesn’t punish people physically. Potential second line upside in time. Might end up as a combination 2F/3F at the NHL level.
No. 35: EJ Emery, D, USNTDP
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 185 pounds
Big, rangy, long, and at times physical (though not punishing) two-way defenceman. Moves well, especially on straight lines. Generally keeps the game simple with the puck on his stick and rarely takes any risks. His size is an asset when taking away time and space. Works to direct the play to the perimeter. Has shown an occasional ability to direct pucks on net with a sneaky release from distance, but it’s not a consistent element. Monitor gap control off speed rushes through neutral zone – he turns to the middle instead of pivoting towards the wall and fronting his opponent.
No. 36: Cole Beaudoin, F, Barrie Colts
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 209 pounds
Beaudoin produced 28G-34A for the Barrie Colts in the regular season and ended up plus-2 being deployed in all situations. Power body and a solid skater in open ice. When up to speed he attacks off the rush with good pace and uses his large frame to drive to the net. And when he gets the edge he’s hard to defend heading to the paint. Leans shooter/finisher more than natural distributor or playmaker. Rotates well on the PK and gets in the shooting lane, but body positioning ranges. Complements a darting centre by going to the hard areas and finishing.
No. 37: Alfons Freij, D, Vaxjo U20 (Sweden)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 187 pounds
Transitional defenceman whose bulk of ice time comes at even strength and the power play. Beautiful skater with great jump. On his toes all the time, exploding to take away space or pounce on a puck to outlet and join the rush offensively. Average plus defender who’s not overly physical. Elite elements are pace and puck moving. Needs to be paired with a more physical stay at home partner.
No. 38: Matvei Gridin, F, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 182 pounds
Sturdy and strong forward who plays a calculating game. There are moments where he appears to go through the motions, but his read/react/execute is generally very good. Quick release. Has proven he can beat goalies in the USHL from distance with a quick snap shot. Sound hockey IQ. Has the skill and ability to penalty kill if required, but his most projectable element is his offence. Falls somewhere between a 2F/3F as an NHL prospect.
No. 39: Tanner Howe, F, Regina Pats
Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 175 pounds
Howe ended the season in Regina with 28G-49A in 68GP. His average ice time hovered around 20 minutes per game and he was deployed in all situations. Works the weak side flank on the PP and has a quick catch and release when moving pucks or directing them on net. Understated one-timer. Solid skater. Good quickness out of the gate and open ice pace to push opponents back. Generally aware defensively.
No. 40: Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s College
Height: 6-foot-6, 210 pounds
Forwards who have the kind of size Letourneau does, who can also skate, score and push back physically, are attractive prospects. His numbers offensively at the Prep AAA level (61G-66A) combined with the Prep Hockey Conference (17G-16A), jump off the page. I’m hoping he gets a call from Hockey Canada to be part of the U18 team in Finland. The opportunity to see him play at a higher level amongst several draft eligible counterparts will allow me to better project his upside. Letourneau is a Boston College commit, but he isn’t scheduled to enter school until the 2025-26 season. His rights are owned by Sioux City in the USHL where he is likely to play one full year next season.
No. 41: Luke Misa, F, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 170 pounds
Attacks with pace off the rush. A solid skater who is quick to space. Has a gear in open ice. Motion player who’s hard to defend when wheeling around the offensive zone on the perimeter. When he sees a lane he’s willing to take the puck to the cage. Useful prospect who lands somewhere between a second/third line forward on projection. Has the IQ to be used in a variety of roles. When not producing to his offensive element, his speed game is an asset as a checker.
No. 42: Teddy Stiga, F, USNTDP
Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 176 pounds
A player to keep an eye on as the NHL draft nears in June. Undersized, but always involved. Stocky strong. Plays with high end pace and relentless compete. Never goes away and is always around the play. Used in all situations at the USNTDP. Not naturally gifted with the puck, but his offence comes from hard work and determination. Not the kind of player who will slow the game down and get too creative with the puck. Reliable in all three zones. Tracks back the full 200 feet. Can slot into the top six or middle six and contribute to team results.
No. 43: Kamil Bednarik, F, USNTDP
Height: 6-feet Weight: 185 pounds
Two-way forward who is used in all situations at the USNTDP. Excellent skater who’s quick and fast. Pushes the play in transition and jumps in to extend plays or clear pucks from danger in his zone. Efficient penalty killer who pressures the puck up ice and creates havoc. Utility player who does a bit of everything: Blocks shots, provides better than secondary scoring, and takes key face-offs. Not elite in any one category, but very solid in the majority.
No. 44: Raoul Boilard, F, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 188 pounds
Skilled, creative prospect. Makes plays off the rush and in small areas in the offensive zone. Solid and agile skater. Playmaker on the power play who’s equal parts shooter and distributor. Always in motion. Good size, but doesn’t play with physical push back. Average defensive detail — he’s not a liability, but it’s not his area of strength. Projects as a potential third-line forward at even strength, but a skilled forward who should find a role on one of the power play units.
No. 45: John Mustard, F, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Height: 6-feet Weight: 180 pounds
Leans shooter more than distributor. Competitive forward who plays quick and fast. Works up and down the ice. Jumps to space to corral pucks and extend plays. Drives to the net off the puck looking for tips and rebounds. The kind of prospect who can play in the top six or middle six depending on the make up of the group.
No. 46: Brodie Ziemer, F, USNTDP
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 190 pounds
Has an infectious approach and plays the game fast. Equal parts shooter and distributor. Strong core and foundation with adequate battle to his game. Has the hockey sense to be used in a variety of roles, but his element is on display at even strength and especially the power play. Has a quick stick and sees the ice well.
No. 47: Colton Roberts, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 192 pounds
Roberts missed some time in the second half with injury, but he has provided me a body of work that has to be dissected closely to be appreciated. Roberts moves very well, has great size, and he’s a coveted right shot defenceman. He projects as a two-way defenceman who can provide some secondary offence. There are times his routes when defending his zone can improve, but he’s also had some tough luck in his zone with plays breaking down around him that led to goals against. It’s my opinion he brings solid value in the second round of this draft class.
No. 48: Will Skahan, D, USNTDP
Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 209 pounds
There’s a ton to like about Skahan’s game. He’s big. He skates well. He takes away time and space in the defensive zone. He’s willing to body up and make life difficult on opponents. Puck play ranges, though. Executing and making plays has been inconsistent at times. Leans two-way defenceman and potentially a shutdown defenceman as he establishes himself. Not likely to produce much offence.
No. 49: Carson Wetsch, F, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Height: 6-foot Weight: 190 pounds
I’m anticipating seeing Wetsch play for Team Canada at the U18 worlds in Finland. Wetsch is the kind of player who can be thrust into a variety of roles. He has good size and strength. He never shies away from being engaged in the hard areas, along the wall and out front the net. On the power play he is efficient as a low flank, or net front option. Good skater. Leans shooter more than natural playmaker. Competes. Mid-range offence is possible, but he could also end up being a useful, bottom six energy/checker. Wetsch produced 25G–25A for the Hitmen this season and was whistled for 89 penalty minutes, which speaks to his style of play.
AND IN THE MIX FOR NO. 50:
The following players are hovering around slot No. 50 in my ranking and are too close to separate at this point. I will be keeping a close eye on them for my next list:
• Sam O’Reilly, F, London Knights (OHL), Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 178-pounds
• Emil Hemming, F, TPS Turku (Liiga), Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 201 pounds
• Miguel Marques, F, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL), Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 173 pounds
• Nikita Artamonov, F, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL), Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 187 pounds
• Matvei Shuravin, D, CSKA Russia (KHL/MHL), Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 195 pounds
• Charlie Elick, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 200 pounds
