2018 NHL Draft Preview: June 20, 2018 by HockeyNow

ISS NHL DRAFT

RANKINGS

[1] RASMUS DAHLIN............VASTRA FROLUNDA (SweE) [2] ANDREI SVECHNIKOV........................ BARRIE (OHL) [3] FILIP ZADINA............................... HALIFAX (QMJHL) [4] BRADY TKACHUK........... BOSTON UNIVERSITY (H.E.) [5] OLIVER WAHLSTROM....................USA U18 (NTDP) [6] EVAN BOUCHARD............................ LONDON (OHL) [7] QUINN HUGHES............... U. OF MICHIGAN (BIG TEN) [8] NOAH DOBSON............ ACADIE-BATHURST (QMJHL) [9] ADAM BOQVIST.................... BRYNAS IF JR. (SweJE) [10] JOSEPH VELENO............DRUMMONDVILLE (QMJHL)

+ TOP 50 INSIDE

2 0 1 8

June 20, 2018

HockeyNow.ca

THE MOST INNOVATIVE MINDS IN HOCKEY

SPEAKERS

WE OFFER

6 HOCKEY CANADA COACHING CREDITS

JULY 20 - 21 | TORONTO

Humber College Lakeshore Campus | Mastercard Center

HOCKEYCOACHESCONFERENCE.com

MARC CRAWFORD Associate Coach , Ottawa Senators ELLIOT FRIEDMAN Sportsnet Analyst GLEN GULUTZAN Head Coach,NHL

MORE INFORMATION AND FULL LIST OF SPEAKERS ONLINE!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONFERENCE INCLUDE: • Panel discussions • Keynote Presentations • Guest Speakers • On-ice Demonstrations

2 | HOCKEYNOW – June 20, 2018

• Exhibitors section featuring the latest coaching technologies • HEROS charity Reception • Complimentary gift bag and conference golf shirt • Opportunity to network with coaches from all over the world

EDITOR'S NOTE

HOCKEY NEVER SLEEPS H

OCKEY NEVER SLEEPS. Just ask hockey mom and HN blogger Astra Groskaufmanis. But that’s a good thing. Even in summer the game provides us great achievements, such as HN’s annual Player-of-the-Year (POY) Awards and events like Team Canada’s U17 selection camp next month at Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park. The first full day of summer, in fact, marks the first day of the NHL Entry Draft in which the International Scouting Service (ISS) expects 2015 HN Alberta POY Ty Smith to be taken in the top 20. B.C. POY from 2015, Luka Burzan, is expected to go anywhere from the second to fourth rounds. Smith, a defenceman out of Lloydminster, put up 14 goals and 59 assists this season – his second full campaign with the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs. The 18-year-old blueliner is was ranked 19th overall by the ISS in its May 30 report, which puts him squarely in the draft-day crosshairs of the Philadelphia Flyers. Some pre-draft speculation has Smith going as high as 10th to the Edmonton Oilers and 12th to the New York Islanders. With his pro hockey future entirely up in the air, the smooth-skating 5-foot-10, 176-pound rearguard taken first overall by the Chiefs in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft says he isn’t losing any sleep this week. “Not at all,” Smith says three days ahead of the NHL Entry Draft draft. “It’s obviously cool, and you never know where you’re going to go. But, I’m not losing any sleep or anything like that. I’m just going to try and enjoy it.” Burzan split time between the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors and Brandon Wheat Kings this past season, his second full season in the WHL. He played Bantam in both Surrey and North Vancouver before being selected sixth overall by the Warriors in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. According to Wheat Kings head coach David Anning, the six-foot, 185-pound centre is a “very hard working guy. He brings it every day, practice or games. He’s somebody who is very competitive.” High praise for a possible fourth-rounder who sniped 15 goals and added 25 assists in 72 WHL games this past season. Someone’s getting a bargain. Other CHL prospects expected to get plucked in the NHL Entry Draft’s first round include forward Andrei Svechnikov of the OHL’s Barrie Colts; defenceman Evan Bouchard of the London Knights; and Barrett Hayton of the Soo Greyhounds. So, while it’s easy to reach for the bicycle, tennis racquet, golf clubs, fishing rod and swim trunks to get into the summer swing -- hockey is still circulating in our veins. It’s in our blood. It’s why we leave our sticks leaning up against the front of the house year-round. You don’t know when a pickup game is going to come calling. Because hockey never sleeps.

BRENDAN NAGLE, editor On Twitter: @HockeyNow

NEXT EDITION: July 14, 2018 CONTACT THE EDITOR: larry@hockeynow.ca

NATIONAL EDITION Vol. 20, No. 6, Issue 689 - June 20, 2018

PUBLISHER Larry Feist larry@hockeynow.ca

EDITOR Brendan Nagle brendan@hockeynow.ca

Celebrate the 2017/18 MINOR HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS with our annual PARADE OF CHAMPIONS! Find it online at: hockeynow.ca/issues

CONTENT MANAGER Emily Whitemarsh emily@hockeynow.ca

ART + PRODUCTION Stacey Rourke stacey@hockeynow.ca

DISTRIBUTION office@hockeynow.ca

Find the next tournament for you or your team in our TOURNAMENT GUIDE! Available in print at online at hockeynow.ca/tournaments

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Larry Feist larry@hockeynow.ca

WRITERS Mike Beasley Iain Colpitts Astra Groskaufmanis Neil Hilts Ryan McCracken Mike Pickles

SERIES

Start improving your game today! Find your next hockey school or program in the 20th EDITION of our HOCKEY SCHOOLS SERIES. Available online at: hockeynow.ca/hockey-schools

With NEW CONTESTS every month and GREAT HOCKEY PRIZES on the line, why wouldn’t you enter? Entry is EASY, and FUN, so drop by our website for your chance to win apparel, equipment, training devices and so much more: hockeynow.ca/contests

COVER PHOTO Noah Dobson David Chan Image Evan Bouchard Aaron Bell/OHL Images Ty Smith Larry Brunt/Spokane Chiefs

HockeyNow Box 714 Lethbridge, AB, T1J 3Z4 Telephone: 1-877-990-0520 Contents copyright 2018 by HockeyNow. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or duplicated in print or online without the written permission of HockeyNow. The opinions conveyed by contributors to HockeyNow may not be indicative of the views of HockeyNow. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, HockeyNow does not assume any responsibility or liability for errors or omissions.

June 20, 2018 – HOCKEYNOW | 3

2017 EDITION

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON.

The HockeyNow Minor Hockey Player of the Year winners for B.C., Alberta and Ontario will be revealed online at hockeynow.ca on July 13th and in our July 14th print edition. STAY TUNED. 4 | HOCKEYNOW â&#x20AC;&#x201C; June 20, 2018

CONTENTS

JUNE 20, 2018

ISS TOP 50

GET TO KNOW TOP PROSPECTS ON ISS FINAL RANKINGS

UNANIMOUS 1ST

WHY RASMUS DAHLIN REALLY IS THAT GOOD WHL: STRONG D-CLASS ON DECK OHL: LIVING UP THE HYPE Q: NHL-READY PROSPECTS JUNIOR A: CROSS-CANADA TALENT STATS BY LEAGUE, TOP SKILLS AND MORE

IT ALL STARTS ON PAGE 11…

in this issue... 6 MINOR

2018 BRINGING ANOTHER SET OF MARLBOROS GRADS TO THE DRAFT

10 MOMS

STAY IN HOCKEY MOM SHAPE WITH THESE OFF-SEASON TIPS

20 PERFORMANCE

WHAT QUALITY OVER QUANTITY MEANS FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

“OBVIOUSLY,

GETTING PICKED IS A DREAM COME TRUE” – LUKA BURZAN

6 June 20, 2018 – HOCKEYNOW | 5

OHL DRAFT

MARLBOROS SET TO STRIKE AGAIN Toronto Marlboros Quinn Hughes, Ryan McLeod, Akil Thomas, Kevin Bahl and Allan McShane expected to join drafted alumni this June STORY Neil Hilts

HE TORONTO MARLBOROS MINOR MIDGET TEAM have been a prospect factory for years, producing numerous NHL draft picks from its ranks. Look up and down rosters in the big leagues and there’s a good chance a player came through the Marlboro program. This year, at least five of players will likely join an NHL franchise’s ranks this June. It continues the tradition of Marlboros having their names called at the NHL Draft. As one of Ontario’s most well-regarded minor teams, they have graduates drafted each year and some very notable, high-end players like Connor McDavid and John Tavares. This year, the three expected to get picked are looking to join the illustrious list. Many players have switched minor hockey associations for the Marlboros ahead of their OHL draft year, so while they have spent less time with the organization, they are still alumni who stay in contact with the league.

2018 DRAFT Quinn Hughes, Ryan McLeod, Akil Thomas, Kevin Bahl and Allan McShane are all ranked within the top 70 of ISS final draft rankings and while they were not all teammates at the same time with the Marlboros during their minor hockey days, their paths crossed often. Hughes is the top player of the five and could even be drafted in the top of the lottery at the draft. The fluid, mobile defender had a memorable season, playing in both the World Junior Championships, plus the World Championships with Team USA. 6 | HOCKEYNOW – June 20, 2018

Hughes played Bantam AAA and Minor Midget AAA in Toronto before committing to the U.S. National Development Team to work on his progress. Hughes could likely get drafted as high as three to Montreal, but shouldn’t slide out of the top 10. McLeod, the youngest of three brothers who were all Marlboros at some point, is slotted in at 26 on the ISS rankings. He’s coming off a 70-point season where he was third in scoring for the Mississauga Steelheads. McLeod is a big player who just missed the 2017 NHL Draft cutoff by mere days. Thomas, who was chosen 12th overall in the OHL Priority Selection Draft, is ranked at 27 and should have his name called towards the end of the first round or early in the second. Born in Florida, Thomas moved around as a kid following his father, Kahlil, a pro hockey player for over a decade in a career that took him around North America. He’s homegrown with the Marlboros, playing PeeWee AAA, Bantam AAA and Minor Midget AAA. Last year with the Niagara Ice Dogs, Thomas had 81 points in 68 games. Also a centre, the 63rd ranked Allan McShane played Bantam AAA with the Marlboros, spent the next year with the Jr. Canadians, then returned to team up with Thomas and Bahl in his OHL Draft year. It paid off as he was selected 19th by the Erie Otters. In the midst of his rookie year, McShane was traded to the Oshawa Generals, and this year he broke out with 65 points in 67 games.

Quinn Hughes and Ryan McLeod (ranked 7th and 26th respectively by ISS), shared many victories as Toronto Marlboros teammates, including a huge OT championship win at the 2015 OHL Cup.

Bahl is a big defender, listed at 6’6 and 230 lbs. – a size that have scouts dreaming of him becoming a stout, shutdown blueliner. He doesn’t have much offence, but ISS ranked him at 68 and they project him to be a bottom-pairing NHL guy. In two seasons with the Ottawa 67’s, who drafted him in the second round, Bahl has just one goal each year, but his points jumped by 14 from his rookie campaign.

ALUMNI Having former players drafted into the pros in nothing new for the Marlboros, with several notable names over the years and more expected to come. Of course, the most popular is McDavid, but Brent Burns, Rick Nash and Jason Spezza only increase the reputation. Last year, three players were chosen, headlined by Matthew Strome in the fourth round. The year before that, Michael McLeod (first round, 12th overall) was followed by three others. In fact, there have been at least two or more Marlboro alumni drafted every year since 2007, highlighted by a high of eight players that went in 2012. Looking to next year, the likely No. 1 pick in 2019, Jack Hughes, spent his Bantam AAA and Minor Midget AAA days with the Marlboros. Brother to Quinn, Jack is a generational talent who won the scoring title by a large margin this season – after being selected as our 2017 Ontario Player of the Year. A teammate of Thomas, McShane and Bahl who has a late-2000 birthday, Danil Antropov should also be drafted. As the 2019 Draft gets into the focus next fall, more former Marlboros will likely be heralded as potential draft choices. With a great track record of developing players and sending them to the next stage of their hockey careers, it’s no wonder that top prospects want to pull on the Marlboro jersey, even just for a year.

AARON BELL/OHL IMAGES

MINOR

SCIENTIFIC MEHTOD OF SHOOTING PUCKS

BY: HOCKEYSHOT BENCH BOSS, JEREMY RUPKE

CIENCE SUGGESTS SHOOTING CLOSER AND FURTHER away from the actual target is more impactful than shooting at the direct target location over and over again. For example, if you’re target distance is 10 feet, Rupke suggests shooting from 5 and 15 feet away, to force your brain to adapt to the varying distances instead of just one “perfect” spot (i.e. the slot). In a sport as fast as hockey, you’re chances of getting constant slot opportunities will dissipate with age and level of skill. In Jeremy’s case, he was solid in close, but he could work on his accuracy for 15-foot shots. To improve on that, Jeremy knows his target distances should be even further (20-25 feet) so it forces his mind and muscles to adapt to the variety of possible game-time scenarios. Varying your shot type with wrist shots as well as slap shots will also add to the difficulty. If you’re looking to turn that shot into a snipe, then try this simple trick that is guaranteed to improve on your shot’s accuracy and power! HockeyShot has a variety of products that can help with your training. For this tip Jeremy used the following HockeyShot products, the Shooter Tutor, the Dryland Flooring Tiles and the goal and 2D backstop. Be sure to visit Hockeyshot.com for more tips and tricks and all your hockey training needs.

WATCH VIDEO:

WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/HOCKEYSHOT1

June 20, 2018 – HOCKEYNOW | 7

PACIFIC JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

PJHL BOASTS PROUD HISTORY AT NHL DRAFT The end of June is a time many of the best teenage hockey players in the world never forget. Even for the select few who are fortunate enough to win Stanley Cups one day, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safe to say anyone chosen in the NHL Draft will never forget the experience. Most of the time, the top players drafted out of Canada will be coming out of the major junior circuit, or junior A if they choose to pursue the NCAA. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not so often you see players from junior B get drafted into the NHL, but there are still quite a few PJHL alumni who have heard their names called on draft day and have gone on to enjoy long NHL careers.

Kyle Turris, current Nashville Predator and the third overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, was a star with the Grandview Steelers during the 2004-05 season. Early in the 2017-18 campaign, he returned to Grandview to drop the puck before a game featuring the Steelers and Mission City Outlaws. (Brett Vo Photo)

PACIFIC JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

Here’s a look at some alums in recent memory who were among the top prospects in the world during their draft year.

Alzner won two World Junior gold medals and a Calder Cup before joining the Capitals on a full-time basis in 2010.

KYLE TURRIS – GRANDVIEW STEELERS, 2004-05: Turris is now a well-known centre with the Nashville Predators, but long before that, he played 30 games with the Steelers as an underager in 2004-05.

He signed a five-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens last summer.

A solid playmaker, Turris recorded 33 points (13 goals and 20 assists) in 30 regular season games with the Steelers and followed with nine points (three goals and six assists) in 12 playoff games. He went on star for the Coquitlam Express, win an RBC Cup and came into the NHL as the third overall pick in the 2007 draft. Originally selected by the Arizona Coyotes, Turris made a name for himself with the Ottawa Senators, scoring a career-high 64 points in 2014-15 and helping the Sens on their run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2017. Earlier this season, he was declared the Steelers top player in franchise history and returned to his old stomping grounds to take part in a ceremonial opening faceoff last October. Turris was traded the Nashville Predators a month later. KARL ALZNER – RICHMOND SOCKEYES, 2003-04: Another member of the 2007 NHL Draft class, Alzner was is a Sockeyes grad and helped the team win the PJHL Championship and Cyclone Taylor Cup in 2004. That season, the young defender collected 12 points in 41 games to go along with two assists in 13 playoff matches. The following season, he moved on to the Calgary Hitmen and developed into a star at the major junior level before he was drafted fifth overall by the Washington Capitals in 2007.

ANDREW LADD – PORT COQUITLAM BUCKEROOS, 2001-02: Ladd has become a proven leader in the NHL who’s still held in high regard because of the intangibles he brings. Long before he turned pro, the Port Coquitlam Buckeroos were one of the stops he made en route to stardom. With the Buckeroos in his first year of junior eligibility, Ladd scored 37 points (15 goals and 22 assists) in 42 games. That team was led by Mike Santorelli, who spent parts of eight seasons in the NHL up until 2016. After his season in Port Coquitlam, Ladd played with the Coquitlam Express and Calgary Hitmen before he was drafted fourth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2004. He won a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006 and won another cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. Before signing with the New York Islanders in 2016, Ladd served as captain for the Atlanta Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets for five seasons. BRENT SEABROOK – DELTA ICE HAWKS, 2000-01: A reliable defenceman who has won World Junior gold, Olympic gold and three Stanley Cups, Seabrook was first exposed to junior hockey through the Delta IceHawks. He was named the PJHL’s rookie of the year after putting up 42 points (16 goals and 26 assists) in 54 games during the 2000-01 season. Afterwards, he moved on to the Lethbridge

Hurricanes, a team he captained for two seasons. Drafted 14th overall by the Blackhawks in 2014, Seabrook has been a mainstay in Chicago ever since 2005 and helped the club win Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015 while adding an Olympic gold medal in 2010.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: DANTON HEINEN There’s no shortage of NHL players who have first cut their teeth in the PJHL. The latest one is Boston Bruins rookie Danton Heinen, who was part of the Richmond Sockeyes’ Keystone Cup championship team in 2012-13. “He reminded me a lot of Glenn Anderson because he had long, blond hair in those days and he used to drive to the net recklessly,” Sockeyes co-owner Doug Paterson said shortly after Richmond won the Cyclone Taylor Cup in April. “He was a real smart player as well.” In his lone PJHL season, Heinen scored 49 points (21 goals and 28 assists) in 43 games. He went on to play for the Surrey Eagles, University of Denver and Providence Bruins before making his NHL debut in 2016-17. Heinen had a great rookie season with Boston, recording 47 points (16 goals and 31 assists) in 77 games in 2017-18 while also helping the Bruins reach the Eastern Conference semifinals. Paterson said Heinen has stayed true to his roots and even sent the team a text last month before the Cyclone Taylor Cup championship game. “Danton’s a great kid and he feels the Sockeyes were instrumental for getting him on the path to where he is today. He’s very grateful for it.”

Summer – Stay in Shape! According to the calendar, summer officially starts on June 21. According to me, the summer officially starts the day after the last NHL playoff game is played and the Cup is hoisted. Therefore, I hereby declare that summer has officially begun! With summer comes some much needed downtime from hockey for some hockey moms. It is important, however, that during this downtime hockey moms keep up their hockey mom strength. You do not want those hockey mom muscles to waste away. Here’s some off-season training I recommend for all hockey moms: DAILY Set your alarm for 5:00AM every single day. You’re a hockey mom and sleep is for sissies. Face it: you’re never going to sleep again. At least not until your child is finished minor hockey. Make sure you go through one drive-through every day, for coffee, a donut, or just to say hi. If the drive-through is closed, go through anyway and pretend order your coffee and breakfast sandwich to go. Pulling up as close to the take out window as possible without scraping your side-view mirror is a special skill that requires continual refining. Yell at your kids to get in the car NOW, even if you’re not going anywhere. You do not want them to forget that voiceand that tone. WEEKLY Try and order pizza at least once a week. Nine out of ten pizza company delivery drivers will forget who you are in the off-season unless you remain a loyal patron. Chill your weekend beer or wine in a plastic shopping bag filled with ice. Not only will it remind you of that fun tournament weekend in Oshawa, you’ll be proud of yourself for your imaginary ‘camping’ skills. MONTHLY At least once a month during the summer, plan to stop on the shoulder of a busy highway with transport trucks whizzing by to pour windshield washer fluid into your car. It’s not the same as doing so in a snowstorm or during freezing rain but every little bit of practice helps keep you in shape. Maybe do it on a rainy day just to keep it real. Keep a towel in your car at all times to wipe the truck spray off your face. On an as-needed basis Take a deep sniff of your husband’s golf shoes after he’s played eighteen holes every Sunday. Mmmm that smell – you know you miss it. Tape a rake handle or two just to hone those butt end taping skills. Your kid hates the way you do it anyway so own up to some practice. And at least once during the summer months make sure you rip a nail off tying shoe laces. If you stick to a little hockey mom routine over the summer months, getting back in hockey mom shape in the fall will not be as painful. Whatever you do, make sure that hockey tape stays in your purse. I guarantee you’ll use it at some point in the off-season. That stuff is pure hockey mom gold! Three cheers for summer – and your summertime hockey mom training program!

ASTRA GROSKAUFMANIS

Ottawa mom of three poking fun at motherhood, middle age and minor hockey! Author of Offside by a Mile – Confessions of a Hockey Mom WEBSITE: astragroskaufmanis.com TWITTER: @mydustbunnies 10 | HOCKEYNOW – June 20, 2018

its final draft rankings, but could go as high as 10th to the Edmonton Oilers or 12th to the New York Islanders. “He’s going to be a great first-pass defenceman,” Chiefs head coach Dan Lambert says of the slick playmaking blueliner who finished his second full season with the Western Hockey League club scoring 14 goals and adding 59 assists. “He’s going to be a guy who can play against everybody else’s top players just because of his ability to skate and defend.” B.C. 2015 POY Luka Burzan of the Brandon Wheat Kings will also pull on a big-league sweater at the draft. Whether it’s before or after his ISS No. 58 ranking remains to be seen. “I’m trying to stay pretty calm,” the centre says just days ahead of the draft. “It’s obviously pretty exciting. I’m not trying to get too nervous. Obviously, getting picked is a dream come true.” And that’s the best thing about Christmas in June – unwrapping the gift that marks the beginning of your big-league journey.

ZADINA: DAVID CHAN, SVECHNIKOV: TERRY WILSON / OHL IMAGES, DAHLIN: TOMMY HOLL

IT’S CHRISTMAS, IN JUNE. The time where players, and their parents – who’ve dedicated years of their lives to early weekday practices, weekend tournaments and countless coffee runs – get to unwrap a new hockey sweater. It’s NHL Entry Draft time. While the headliner at this year’s big show, Rasmus Dahlin, has already been determined, there is plenty of draft-day intrigue on tap. After Dahlin pulls on his Buffalo Sabres jersey as the No. 1 overall selection Friday, do the Carolina Hurricanes take Barrie Colts forward Andrei Svechnikov second overall as widely predicted, or do they go off the board and grab Halifax Mooseheads forward Filip Zadina instead? Or does Zadina fall as far as No. 5 to the Arizona Coyotes? It gets significantly more interesting for Lloydminster Minor Hockey product Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs. The 2015 HN Alberta Player of the Year (POY) was ranked 19th by the International Scouting Service (ISS) in

June 20, 2018 – HOCKEYNOW | 11

BUFFALO SABRES

CAROLINA HURRICANES

MONTREAL CANADIENS

OTTAWA SENATORS

ARIZONA COYOTES

DETROIT RED WINGS

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

NEW YORK RANGERS

EDMONTON OILERS

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

DALLAS STARS

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

FLORIDA PANTHERS

COLORADO AVALANCHE

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

(from Calgary)

UNANIMOUS 1

It’s the worst-kept secret in hockey, for a reason. Rasmus Dahlin is that good. It’s why the Buffalo Sabres will select the Swedish Hockey League defenceman first overall at the NHL Entry Draft. At just 18 years old, the 6-foot-2, 181-pound left-shooting blueliner put up seven goals and 13 assists for Frolunda in Sweden’s top pro league this past season. He played for his home nation at the 2018 Winter Olympics and the World Junior Championship. He skates incredibly well, his puck-handling skills are elite and he has an edge to his game that suits the NHL perfectly. In an era where finding a true No. 1 defenceman is becoming more difficult, the consensus is Dahlin’s skill, confidence and upside place him squarely in that category. It’s why he’ll be pulling on a Buffalo Sabres sweater as the No. 1 overall pick at the NHL Entry Draft.

FIRST ROUNDERS (BY LEAGUE) ISS is predicting another solid year for CHL players, with 13 projected to be selected in the first round. After an impressive showing last year, the WHL is expected to step aside to give the usual forerunner OHL a turn back in the #1 spot, with six players ranked in the Top 31. Here is a breakdown of the total first rounders by CHL league over the past 10 years, plus those projected for 2018.

OTHER 2018 *Projected

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

LOS ANGELES KINGS

SAN JOSE SHARKS

OTTAWA SENATORS

ANAHEIM DUCKS

MINNESOTA WILD

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

NEW YORK RANGERS

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

NEW YORK RANGERS

ST. LOUIS BLUES

DETROIT RED WINGS

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

2017

(from Pittsburgh)

2016 2015 2014 2013

(from Boston) (from Nashville) (from Tampa Bay)

2012 2011 2010

(from Winnipeg)

2009

(from Vegas)

12 | HOCKEYNOW – June 20, 2018

2008

2 7 4 5 9 8 6 5 7 5 9

6 5 9 7 10 8 11 11 9 7 11

5 2 2 5 1 6 1 5 1 4 0

18 17 15 13 10 8 12 9 13 14 10

TOMMY HOLL PHOTO

HOCKEYNOW PLAYER OF THE YEAR FIRST ROUND PICKS HockeyNow’s Minor Hockey Player of the Year award recipients have been killing it at the NHL entry draft since our inaugural winner Colin Fraser was drafted 69th overall in 2003 and went on to play eight seasons in the NHL. This year, ISS Hockey is projecting that 2015 Alberta POY Ty Smith will be called up on June 22nd, with fellow 2015 POY (BC) Luka Burzan picked up in the second or third round. Here is a list of some our players of the year drafted in the first round.

TY SMITH | 2015 AB POY

PROJECTED TO GO 19TH OVERALL IN 2018 NHL DRAFT

GABE VILARDI | 2015 ON POY

DRAFTED: 2017 - 11TH OVERALL BY LOS ANGELES KINGS

DANTE FABBRO | 2013 POY

DRAFTED: 2016 - 17TH OVERALL BY NASHVILLE PREDATORS

MATHEW BARZAL | 2012 POY

DRAFTED: 2015 - 16TH OVERALL BY NEW YORK ISLANDERS

CURTIS LAZAR | 2010 POY

DRAFTED: 2013 - 17TH OVERALL BY OTTAWA SENATORS

MORGAN RIELLY | 2009 POY

DRAFTED: 2012 - 5TH OVERALL BY TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

GRIFFIN REINHART | 2009 POY

DRAFTED: 2012 - 4TH OVERALL BY NEW YORK ISLANDERS

RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS | 2008 POY DRAFTED: 2011 - 1ST OVERALL BY EDMONTON OILERS

KARL ALZNER | 2003 POY

DRAFTED: 2007 - 5TH OVERALL BY WASHINGTON CAPITALS

GILBERT BRULE | 2002 POY

DRAFTED: 2005 - 6TH OVERALL BY COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

FEN

ADAM GINNING

RASMUS DAHLIN

RANKED: 17TH

T ST LIT LE GUY BE

RANKED: 1ST

T SKATER BES

RASMUS DAHLIN

RANKED: 1ST

TY SMITH

T ES

STICKHANDL

RANKED: 19TH

SCORER

IVE FORW AR ENS EF

BENOIT-OLIVIER GROULX RANKED: 22ND

L E AD

ERSHIP

LARRY BRUNT/SPOKANE CHIEFS

SIVE D-M AN

T-HOME D-M Y-A A

ISS HOCKEY'S BEST (BY SKILL) OLIVER WAHLSTROM RANKED: 5TH

ANDREI SVECHNIKOV RANKED: 2ND

RASMUS DAHLIN

RANKED: 1ST

CK P

ROTECTI

BRADY TKACHUK

2018 brings another strong draft year and another group of skilled young men who will be called up. From best little guy, best stickhandler, most underrated player and more, ISS Hockey ranked the top 5 in each category in their Draft Guide. Here are the #1s in each skillset. WER PO

FORWA

BRADY TKACHUK

RANKED: 4TH

-3 SPECIALIS ON T 3-

E R R AT E D UND

RASMUS DAHLIN

JOSEPH VELENO

RANKED: 1ST

RANKED: 10TH

BEST SHOT

OLIVER WAHLSTROM RANKED: 5TH

O V ER

RATED

RYAN MERKLEY

RANKED: 47TH

June 20, 2018 – HOCKEYNOW | 13

ISS TOP 50 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS 01

RASMUS DAHLIN V. FROLUNDA | S E

POS: Defence DOB: Apr 13/00 H/W: 6.02/181

SIZE/STRENGTH.........Very Good SKATING............................. Elite PUCK SKILLS...................... Elite SHOT...........................Very Good OFFENSIVE PLAY..........Excellent

DEFENSIVE PLAY.......Very Good PHYSICAL PLAY.........Very Good COMPETITIVENESS......Excellent HOCKEY SENSE.................. Elite COMPARED TO: Erik Karlsson

EVAN BOUCHARD LONDON | OHL

SIZE/STRENGTH.........Very Good SKATING.....................Very Good PUCK SKILLS..............Very Good SHOT.............................Excellent OFFENSIVE PLAY........Very Good

POS: Defence DOB: Oct 20/99 H/W: 6.02.25/193

DEFENSIVE PLAY.......Very Good PHYSICAL PLAY................Good COMPETITIVENESS....Very Good HOCKEY SENSE............Excellent COMPARED TO: John Carlson

Stud two-way defender who brings confidence and composure on the puck.

Mobile, puck advancing defender with excellent offensive instincts.

YEAR 17-18

GP 41

G 7

A 13

PTS 20

ANDREI SVECHNIKOV BARRIE | OHL

SIZE/STRENGTH.........Very Good SKATING.......................Excellent PUCK SKILLS................Excellent SHOT................................... Elite OFFENSIVE PLAY..........Excellent

PIM 20

+/20

POS: Centre DOB: Mar 26/00 H/W: 6.02/188

DEFENSIVE PLAY..............Good PHYSICAL PLAY.........Very Good COMPETITIVENESS......Excellent HOCKEY SENSE............Excellent COMPARED TO: Ilya Kovalchuk

Dynamic offensive forward with game breaking ability.

YEAR 17-18

GP 44

G 40

A 32

PTS 72

FILIP ZADINA HALIFAX | QMJHL

SIZE/STRENGTH................Good SKATING.....................Very Good PUCK SKILLS..............Very Good SHOT.............................Excellent OFFENSIVE PLAY........Very Good

PIM 67

GP 57

G 44

+/26

POS: Centre DOB: Aug 16/99 H/W: 6.00.25/195 DEFENSIVE PLAY.......Very Good PHYSICAL PLAY.........Very Good COMPETITIVENESS....Very Good HOCKEY SENSE............Excellent COMPARED TO: Alex Radulov

A 38

PTS 82

BRADY TKACHUK BOSTON UNI. | H.E.

SIZE/STRENGTH...........Excellent SKATING.....................Very Good PUCK SKILLS..............Very Good SHOT...........................Very Good OFFENSIVE PLAY........Very Good

PIM 36

G 25

A 62

PTS 87

QUINN HUGHES MICHIGAN | B T

PIM 54

+/23

POS: Defence DOB: Oct 14/99 H/W: 5.09.5/170

ig en

SIZE/STRENGTH...Below Average SKATING............................. Elite PUCK SKILLS..............Very Good SHOT...........................Very Good OFFENSIVE PLAY..........Excellent

DEFENSIVE PLAY..............Good PHYSICAL PLAY................Good COMPETITIVENESS....Very Good HOCKEY SENSE............Excellent COMPARED TO: Ivan Provorov

Puck advancing defender with excellent offensive instincts.

Scoring winger â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not just a scorer, makes players better around him.

YEAR 17-18

GP 67

YEAR 17-18

GP 31

G 3

A 18

PTS 21

NOAH DOBSON ACADIE-BAT. | QMJHL

SIZE/STRENGTH...........Excellent SKATING.....................Very Good PUCK SKILLS..............Very Good SHOT..................................Good OFFENSIVE PLAY........Very Good

PIM 18

+/11

POS: Defence DOB: Jan 07/00 H/W: 6.03/180

DEFENSIVE PLAY.......Very Good PHYSICAL PLAY................Good COMPETITIVENESS....Very Good HOCKEY SENSE............Excellent COMPARED TO: Alex Pietrangelo

Excellent instincts and ability to read the game.

+/23

POS: Centre DOB: Sep 16/99 H/W: 6.03.25/196

DEFENSIVE PLAY.......Very Good PHYSICAL PLAY.........Very Good COMPETITIVENESS......Excellent HOCKEY SENSE............Excellent COMPARED TO: Matthew Tkachuk

YEAR 17-18

GP 67

G 17

A 52

PTS 69

ADAM BOQVIST BRYNAS | S JE

+/33

POS: Defence DOB: Aug 15/00 H/W: 5.10.75/168

SIZE/STRENGTH...Below Average SKATING............................. Elite PUCK SKILLS..............Very Good SHOT.............................Excellent OFFENSIVE PLAY........Very Good

PIM 52

DEFENSIVE PLAY..............Good PHYSICAL PLAY................Good COMPETITIVENESS....Very Good HOCKEY SENSE..........Very Good COMPARED TO: Shayne Gostisbehere

Very good two-way centre with both offensive and defensive upside.

Mobile, puck advancing defender with excellent offensive instincts and ability to read the game.

YEAR 17-18

GP 34

G 7

A 19

PTS 26

OLIVER WAHLSTROM USA U18 | NTDP

SIZE/STRENGTH.........Very Good SKATING.....................Very Good PUCK SKILLS..............Very Good SHOT.............................Excellent OFFENSIVE PLAY........Very Good

PIM 53

+/-11

POS: Centre DOB: June 13/00 H/W: 6.00.75/205

DEFENSIVE PLAY..............Good PHYSICAL PLAY................Good COMPETITIVENESS....Very Good HOCKEY SENSE..........Very Good COMPARED TO: Brock Boeser

Natural goal-scorer with above average hockey sense and anticipation.

YEAR 17-18

GP 54

G 40

A 43

P 83

PIM 38

GP 15

G 0

A 1

PTS 1

JOSEPH VELENO DRUMMOND | QMJHL

SIZE/STRENGTH................Good SKATING.....................Very Good PUCK SKILLS..............Very Good SHOT..................................Good OFFENSIVE PLAY........Very Good

PIM 4

+/-7

POS: Centre DOB: Jan 13/00 H/W: 6.01.25/193

DEFENSIVE PLAY..............Good PHYSICAL PLAY............Average COMPETITIVENESS...........Good HOCKEY SENSE..........Very Good COMPARED TO: Matt Duchene

Playmaking centre.

+/30

YEAR 17-18

GP 64

G 22

A 57

PTS 79

PIM 48

+/4

JOEL FARABEE

POS: LW DOB: 2/25/2000

DOB: 6/9/2000

DOB: 7/6/2000

DOB: 11/6/1999

DOB: 2/6/2000

DOB: 9/21/1999

DOB: 1/2/2000

HEIGHT: 5.11

WEIGHT: 165

SPOKANE | WHL SHOOTS: L

SHOOTS: L

HEIGHT: 5.10.25

SHOOTS: R

SHOOTS: L

LULEA HF | SweE HEIGHT: 6.00.5

WEIGHT: 185

HALIFAX | QMJHL HEIGHT: 6.01

WEIGHT: 195

HALIFAX | QMJHL HEIGHT: 6.00.75

WEIGHT: 192

HEIGHT: 6.02.25

WEIGHT: 195

RED DEER | WHL HEIGHT: 6.03

WEIGHT: 200

OKOTOKS | AJHL

HEIGHT: 6.00

WEIGHT: 181

MISSISSAUGA | 0HL HEIGHT: 6.02

WEIGHT: 200

NIAGARA | OHL SHOOTS: R

SHOOTS: R

JONATAN BERGGREN

POS: RW DOB: 7/16/2000

WEIGHT: 176

USA U18 | NTDP

KIRILL MARCHENKO

POS: RW DOB: 7/21/2000

WEIGHT: 196

YAROSLAVL LOKO | RusJr

HEIGHT: 5.11

DOMINIK BOKK

POS: LW DOB: 2/3/2000

HEIGHT: 6.03

AKIL THOMAS

POS: C

SHOOTS: R

RYAN MCLEOD

POS: C

SHOOTS: L

WEIGHT: 188

SLINKOPING HC | SweE

JACOB BERNARD-DOCKER

POS: RD DOB: 6/30/2000

HEIGHT: 6.01.5

ALEXANDER ALEXEYEV

POS: RD DOB: 11/15/1999

SHOOTS: L

WEIGHT: 183

ASSAT | FinE

BODE WILDE

POS: RD DOB: 1/24/2000

HEIGHT: 6.01.25

BENOIT-OLIVIER GROULX

POS: C

SHOOTS: R

WEIGHT: 200

KARPAT OULU | FinE

JARED MCISAAC

POS: LD DOB: 3/27/2000

HEIGHT: 6.04.75

ISAC LUNDESTROM

POS: C

SHOOTS: R

TY SMITH

POS: LD DOB: 3/24/2000

WEIGHT: 176

OSHAWA | OHL

GRIGORI DENISENKO

POS: LW DOB: 6/24/2000

HEIGHT: 6.01.5

ADAM GINNING

POS: RD DOB: 1/13/2000

SHOOTS: R

JESPERI KOTKANIEMI

POS: C

DOB: 3/15/2000

WEIGHT: 191

PARDUBICE | CzeE

RASMUS KUPARI

POS: C

HEIGHT: 6.00.75

SERRON NOEL

POS: RW DOB: 8/8/2000

SHOOTS: L

WEIGHT: 164

SAULT STE. MARIE | OHL

MARTIN KAUT

POS: RW DOB: 10/2/1999

HEIGHT: 5.11.5

BARRETT HAYTON

POS: C

SHOOTS: L

USA U18 | NTDP

SHOOTS: L

WEIGHT: 169

VAXJO | SweJE HEIGHT: 6.01

WEIGHT: 178

KHANTY MANSIYSK | RusJr HEIGHT: 6.03

WEIGHT: 187

SKELLEFTEA | SweJr HEIGHT: 5.10

WEIGHT: 181

MATTHIAS SAMUELSSON

POS: LD

DOB: 3/3/2000

DOB: 2/8/2000

DOB: 2/4/2000

DOB: 5/23/2000

DOB: 3/23/2000

DOB: 2/11/2000

DOB: 2/3/2000

DOB: 7/21/2000

DOB: 4/11/2000

DOB: 2/28/2000

DOB: 11/4/1999

SHOOTS: R

SHOOTS: L

WEIGHT: 175

CHELYABINSK | KHL HEIGHT: 6.02

WEIGHT: 170

S.S. MARIE | OHL HEIGHT: 5.11

WEIGHT: 184

KHANTY MANSIYSK | RusJr HEIGHT: 6.01

WEIGHT: 178

LEKSAND | SweJE HEIGHT: 6.00.5 WEIGHT: 174

ST. PETERSBURG SKA | RusJr HEIGHT: 6.01

WEIGHT: 200

WATERLOO | USHL SHOOTS: L

HEIGHT: 5.11

WEIGHT: 175

OWEN SOUND | OHL SHOOTS: R

SHOOTS: R

SHOOTS: L

HEIGHT: 5.11.5 WEIGHT: 195

FLINT | OHL HEIGHT: 6.00.25 WEIGHT: 185

HV71 | SweE HEIGHT: 6.01.5 WEIGHT: 196

USA U18 | NTDP SHOOTS: L

SHOOTS: R

JAKUB LAUKO

POS: C

SHOOTS: R

CALEN ADDISON

POS: RD DOB: 4/11/2000

HEIGHT: 6.00

HEIGHT: 5.10

DOB: 3/28/2000

HEIGHT: 5.10.5

WEIGHT:185

GUELPH | OHL HEIGHT: 5.11.25 WEIGHT: 170

LETHBRIDGE | WHL HEIGHT: 5.10

WEIGHT: 180

CHOMUTOV PIRATI | CzeE SHOOTS: L

SAMPO RANTA

POS: LW DOB: 5/31/2000

WEIGHT: 189

THAYER | NEPrep

RYAN MERKLEY

POS: RD DOB: 8/14/2000

HEIGHT: 6.01.75 WEIGHT: 192

JAMES Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN

POS: C

TIMRA | SweAl

JACK WISE

POS: C

HEIGHT: 5.11.25 WEIGHT: 173

DAVID GUSTAFSSON

POS: C

PENTICTON | BCHL

TY DELLANDREA

POS: C

SHOOTS: L

SEAN DURZI

POS: RD DOB: 10/21/1998

SHOOTS: L

JACK DRURY

POS: C

SHOOTS: L

DANILA GALENYUK

POS: LD

WEIGHT: 217

LONDON | OHL

FILIP JOHANSSON

POS: LD

SHOOTS: L

IVAN MOROZOV

POS: C

HEIGHT: 6.03

RASMUS SANDIN

POS: RD DOB: 3/7/2000

SHOOTS: L

VITALI KRAVTSOV

POS: RW DOB: 12/23/1999

SHOOTS: L

USA U18 | NTDP

LIAM FOUDY

POS: C

HEIGHT: 6.03.5 WEIGHT: 217

JACOB OLOFSSON

POS: C

DOB: 1/21/2000

JONATHAN TYCHONICK

POS: LD

SHOOTS: L

K'ANDRE MILLER

POS: LD

DOB: 3/14/2000

USA U18 | NTDP

HEIGHT: 6.01

WEIGHT: 169

SIOUX CITY | USHL SHOOTS: L

HEIGHT: 6.01.5 WEIGHT: 190

24 ALEXANDER ALEXEYEV [D]

STRONG D FROM THE DUB 19 TY SMITH [D] SPOKANE CHIEFS

TY SMITH HAS BEEN DRAWING THE EYES OF SCOUTS FOR YEARS. The 18-year-old Spokane Chiefs defenceman worked his way onto the hockey radar as a bantam in Lloydminster before playing a year with Delta Prep Academy and going first overall in the 2015 Western Hockey League bantam draft. Now coming off a stellar sophomore year with the Chiefs, Smith is pegged as the Dub’s top prospect entering this month’s NHL Entry Draft in Dallas. International Scouting Services lists Smith at 19th overall among skaters heading into the big day on June 22, but the 5-foot-10, 176-pound blueliner could hear his name called earlier given his developmental track record and dynamic two-way abilities. Smith made his name known in major junior hockey circles as a 13-year-old with the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League’s Lloydminster Heat. A year before even being eligible in the WHL draft, the Lloydminster product racked up a staggering 60 points in 33 games to lead all AMBHL defenceman in scoring and claim rookie of the year honours. The left-handed blueliner took his game to British Columbia the following year to compete with Delta Hockey Academy in the Canadian Sport School Bantam Hockey League and managed to keep the same point-per-game pace with 28 in 16 contests before leading the class of 2015 as the top pick in the WHL draft. That same year, Smith was named the HockeyNow Minor Hockey Player of the Year for Alberta. Smith returned to Lloydminster to play out his midget season — jumping up with the Chiefs as an affiliate for two games and logging two assists in his WHL debut — before cracking Spokane’s full-time roster as a 16-year-old last year. After putting up five goals and 27 assists in 66 games as a rookie, Smith stepped into his own as a sophomore and maintained his first-round status by more than doubling the previous year’s numbers. Smith kicked off the season on a frenetic pace, logging a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win over the Prince George Cougars to start the year before adding six more points over the next four games. He went on to finish the season with 14 goals and 59 assists for 73 points while putting together 20 multiple-point performances — including a seven-point night against Prince George on Feb. 23 — and earning a place on the WHL’s Western Conference first all-star team as a 17-year-old. Smith has always been an offensive force, but this year he managed to grow his defensive game in Spokane as well. On top of dwarfing his rookie numbers this season, Smith flipped a minus-12 rating to a plus-44 as a sophomore before adding seven points and a plus-five rating in his team’s seven-game Western Conference quarterfinal loss to the Portland Winterhawks. Watch for a team like the Edmonton Oilers — who hold the 10th pick and are in a market for a puck-moving defenceman that can join the rush — to take a chance on Smith when they take the stage on June 22.

48 CALEN ADDISON [D]

LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES The Lethbridge Hurricanes defenceman may be one of the smaller blueliners available at this year’s NHL draft, but what the Brandon, Man. product lacks in size, he makes up for in finesse and awareness. Known for his strong skating and finesse with the puck, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound blueliner has proven himself as a top tier WHL rearguard while earning a No. 48 ranking among skaters by ISS after finishing the season just shy of the point-per-game mark with 65 in 68 contests.

51 RILEY SUTTER [C]

EVERETT SILVERTIPS The Everett Silvertips power forward had a slow start to the season but shot back up the ISS rankings into 51st among skaters thanks to a standout playoff performance. After logging 25 goals and 28 assists for 53 points in 68 regular season contests, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound centre went on to produce nine goals and 10 assists in 21 playoff games while helping lead his Silvertips to Game 6 of the WHL final.

58 LUKA BURZAN [D]

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS The Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman boasts excellent skating skills with an impressive 200-foot game. After starting his season in Moose Jaw, Burzan was shipped to Manitoba at the trade deadline in the blockbuster deal that sent Kale Clague to the Warriors. The 6-foot 180-pound defenceman went on to finish his season with 40 points in 72 games — 21 of which came in 30 contests with the Wheaties — to earn a ranking of 58th among skaters by ISS.

SMITH: LARRY BRUNT/SPOKANE CHIEFS, ALEXEVEV: DAVE BRUNNER/RED DEER REBELS, BURZAN: ROBERT MURRAY/WHL

STORY | RYAN MCCRACKEN

RED DEER REBELS The big-bodied Russian blueliner immediately became a key figure in the Red Deer Rebels franchise after joining the team in the 2016 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. Alexeyev made the trip across the Atlantic in his quest to reach the NHL, and that journey will likely end late in the first round. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound defenceman led the Rebels defensive corps in scoring with seven goals and 30 assists this season and will enter the draft ranked 24th among skaters by ISS.

06 EVAN BOUCHARD [RD]

LONDON KNIGHTS The London Knights captain couldn’t have asked for a better way to break into the OHL. Although he played a limited role on the 2015-16 Knights, he gained valuable experience from being part of a Memorial Cup championship squad in his rookie season. It’s been a steady progression ever since for Bouchard, regarded by scouts as a very smart defender with great poise and vision. This season, his 87 points were the most among all CHL defencemen. He also had a strong showing at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game with four assists.

BARRETT HAYTON [C]

SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS One of the highest ranked centres available in the draft, Hayton has developed into a forward capable of excelling in all three zones. He played a secondary role on a stacked Greyhounds squad with several NHL prospects and put up almost a point per game with 60 in 63 games. Hayton put up a similar rate in the playoffs as well with 21 points in 24 games as the Greyhounds, the top-ranked team in the CHL for most of the season, reached the OHL final.

14 SERRON NOEL [RW]

OSHAWA GENERALS At 6-foot-5 and 209 pounds, Noel is a big player with big upside. Given his size and taking into account he’s still likely to put on more muscle as he gets older, he projects as a prototypical power forward at the NHL level. He has a strong shot, as shown by his 28 goals on only 105 shots through 62 games. Needless to say, his size can make him difficult to contain, especially In front of the net.

26 RYAN MCLEOD [C]

THOMAS & SVECHNIKOV: TERRY WILSON / OHL IMAGES

MISSISSAUGA STEELHEADS It’s hard to find a prospect in the draft who skates as quick and smoothly as McLeod. Born just a week after the 2017 draft age cut off, McLeod has had three years to develop with the Steelheads and benefited from Mississauga’s run to the OHL final in 2017. In addition to his great speed, McLeod is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound centre who prides himself on his playmaking ability. His older brother, Steelheads captain Michael McLeod, was drafted 12th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2016.

27 AKIL THOMAS [C]

NIAGARA ICE DOGS Even in his rookie season, Thomas established himself as Niagara’s most dynamic centre. He followed up a near 50-point rookie season by posting 81 points as a sophomore. Bouchard was the only draft eligible player to record more points in the OHL last season. Thomas has grown into an excellent playmaker and has great speed, but he’s also been praised for his work ethic with the IceDogs. Because of that, he’s earned his way onto the ice in major situations, such as special teams and the closing minutes of close games.

STORY | IAIN COLPITTS

OHL IN FRONT

02 ANDREI SVECHNIKOV [RW/C] BARRIE COLTS

ANDREI SVECHNIKOV TOOK THE OHL BY STORM LAST SEASON. Entering the league with high expectations, the first overall pick in the 2017 CHL Draft made an immediate impact with the Barrie Colts, scoring 10 goals in his first games. He kept that pace up throughout the OHL season, finishing with 40 goals and 72 points in 44 games to earn OHL rookie of the year honours, as well as the CHL’s top prospect award. If it weren’t for the 24 games he missed due to a hand injury and stints with Team Russia at the World Junior Championships and Five Nations tournament, Svechnikov probably would have exceeded the 100-point plateau. With all of these accolades, it’s easy to see why Svechnikov is considered ISS’s second-ranked prospect eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft. The younger brother of Detroit Red Wings prospect Evgeny Svechnikov, the 19th overall pick in the 2015 draft, Andrei has an enticing combination of speed, power and finesse. His greatest strength is his shot, but he’s also a powerful skater who can stick handle with ease at top speed. Standing in at 6-foot-3 and 184 pounds, he brings a physical element to the game and has gotten under the skin of players at times. Before he came to the OHL, he grew accustomed to the North American style of play by spending the 2016-17 season with the United States Hockey League’s Muskegon Lumberjacks. His 29 goals and 58 points in 48 games led to him winning the league’s rookie of the year award that season. Also that season, he represented Russia at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the World Junior A Hockey Challenge, where he set a tournament record with eight goals. His most prominent stint with Team Russia to date was at the World Juniors, a tournament reserved mostly for 19-year-olds. Svechnikov made that team at the age of 17, and even though his playing time was limited, he still managed to record five assists in as many games. When he returned to Barrie for the second half of the OHL season, he recorded the league’s longest point streak of the season at 23 games, averaging two points a game in that span. He’s established himself as a bonafide scorer, and because of that reputation, his playmaking ability may be underrated. Based on what scouts are saying, it shouldn’t take long for those abilities to translate at the NHL level. At this stage, it’s a foregone conclusion that Svechnikov won’t return to the OHL next year. He could be the first OHL graduate since Connor McDavid to be an impact NHL player in their first year of NHL eligibility.

03 FILIP ZADINA [RW]

HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS The talented forward from Pardubice, Czech Republic is the real deal when it comes to creating offence and putting up points. Zadina, 18, lit up the Q in 201718, his first season on North American ice, scoring 44 goals and 38 assists in 57 games for the Halifax Mooseheads, topping all rookies in points. His performance at the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship solidified his status as a potential Top 3 pick. Zadina had seven goals in seven games for his native country in his first tournament appearance, showing the type of skills that have him defined as a legit player. Zadina always wants the game on his stick moves well in tight areas and protects the puck with authority. STORY | MIKE BEASLEY

08 NOAH DOBSON [RD] ACADIE-BATHURST TITAN

IN THIS YEAR’S NHL ENTRY DRAFT, NOAH DOBSON COULD BE THE SECOND DEFENCEMAN TO HEAR HIS NAME CALLED BY A BIG LEAGUE GM. Everybody knows that Swedish defender Rasmus Dahlin will be selected first overall by the Buffalo Sabres. With five defencemen ranked in the Top Ten, Dobson has a very good chance of being the next blueliner in line to walk up to the podium and adjust an NHL cap. Ranked eighth by International Scouting Services, Dobson’s stock increased with a stellar performance at the recently completed Mastercard Memorial Cup. He showed the NHL scouts in attendance that he can do it all. Skate, make plays, show a physical side along with an ability to handle big game pressure. As a result, Dobson solidified his candidature as a legitimate, high end, NHL prospect. Prior to the event, his impressive offensive numbers and above average skating ability had every NHL scout drooling over his potential to make the jump to pro hockey. The native of Summerside, PEI shoots right – a huge plus – and is a nice blend of offence and defence. One of the scary things about Dobson is that at 18, he’s still growing at 6’3” and 179 lbs. He had a tremendous offensive season with 17-52-69 points in 67 games then added another 3-10-13 points in 20 playoff games. Dobson brings several intangibles that every NHL team is craving. He’s a proven winner starting with a gold medal for Canada at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka. He then helped Acadie-Bathurst take home the QMJHL’s President’s Cup in 20 playoff games. Dobson then showed he can excel against the best at the CHL level when he picked up two goals and five assists, helping the Titan win four straight at the 100th Mastercard Memorial Cup Dobson is one of the best two-way defencemen available in this draft. Noah’s biggest asset is his skating, plus his offensive flair and ability to defend. A player of Dobson’s balance ability does not come along often. He will probably need another year maybe two of development time, but he has the potential to be a number one defenceman at the NHL level, playing both the power play and penalty kill, while neutralizing other team’s top lines. 18 | HOCKEYNOW – June 20, 2018

DRUMMONDVILLE VOLTIGEURS Veleno has been waiting a long time to be eligible for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. At 15 years old, the Montreal native became the first player granted exceptional status to enter the QMJHL in 2015. The Saint John Sea Dogs picked him first overall that year with Veleno collecting 43 points in 45 games during his rookie season. He participated in the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup and was Canada’s team captain at the 2018 U18 World Championships. Veleno is not a natural goal scorer but he plays the game the right way. He skates extremely well, has a good shot and owns an above average hockey IQ that should enable him to be successful at the next level. At 6'1'' and 194 lbs, he has the size to compete against anyone.

21 JARED MCISAAC [LD]

HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS McIsaac can skate at the NHL level, there’s no other way to describe his strongest skill. Acceleration and playing at a high pace has the scouts nodding their heads in agreement. He is at his best when he moves his feet. His above average speed enables him to be a factor at both ends of the rink. A very good decision maker when he has the puck, McIsaac also has a nasty side that makes him one tough son of a gun to play against. At 6’1”, and 195 pounds the Truro, Nova Scotia resident is still raw but will benefit from some additional time in junior, playing big minutes in all situations.

22 BENOIT-OLIVIER GROULX [C]

HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS The first overall pick in the 2016 QMJHL Draft is expected to be a first round selection in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. The report on Groulx is that he’s a complete 200-foot player that is committed to being effective on both sides of the puck. He already has good size, 6’1” and 192 pounds and uses his large frame to protect pucks and set up shop in front of the opposition’s net. This season he put up 28 goals-27 assists-55 points in 68 games for the Mooseheads. His skating needs work but he can score which every NHL club is looking for. The owner of a tremendous shot and exceptional onetime release, the Gatineau, Quebec native has the potential to slide into a second line role.

GROULX: HJMQ MÉDIA, VELENO: GHYSLAIN BERGERON

Q BRINGING HOMEGROWN TALENT

10 JOSEPH VELENO [C]

STORY | NEIL HILTS

52 JACK MCBAIN [LW]

MCBAIN: SHAWN MUIR / OJHL IMAGES, MANDERVILLE: WWW.ICELEVEL.COM, BERNARD-DOCKER: CHAD GODDARD PHOTOGRAPHY, TYCHONICK: GARRETT JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY

TORONTO JR. CANADIANS The lone-ranked OJHL skater has seen his name up and down the lists all year long. McBain had 21 goals and 58 points to rank just inside the top 20 in scoring and was third on the Toronto Jr. Canadians in penalties. His twoway game is a huge asset, and the development of it at Boston College will be essential as he looks to become a more complete player before likely making the jump to pro hockey. ISS had McBain as the fourth best power forward prospect, so teams looking for physicality and strength would be wise to take a tab on him. At the CJHL Top Prospects game earlier this year, McBain was ejected for hammering Okotoks forward Austin Wong during a battle, something that scouts took big notice of.

98 SLAVA DEMIN [D]

WENATCHEE WILD By the time the Mighty Ducks movie franchise was a household series among young hockey fans, Slava Demin was just entering this world. The smooth-skating defenceman, who played his minor hockey with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks program, dazzled in California before heading up to Washington for Junior A hockey and has played his way into scouts’ books. Demin ranked fourth behind Tychonick in d-man scoring in the BCHL, tallying 45 points in 57 games. His numbers shrunk in the playoffs and RBC Cup, but he was still an effective defender. Next year, Demin will head to the University of Denver. ISS is projecting him as a depth NHL defender who can run a second powerplay.

135 ETHAN MANDERVILLE [C]

in in

OTTAWA JR. SENATORS By the time the Mighty Ducks movie franchise was a household series among young hockey fans, Slava Demin was just entering this world. The smooth-skating defenceman, who played his minor hockey with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks program, dazzled in California before heading up to Washington for Junior A hockey and has played his way into scouts’ books. Demin ranked fourth behind Tychonick in d-man scoring the BCHL, tallying 45 points 57 games. His numbers shrunk in the playoffs and RBC Cup, but he was still an effective defender. Next year, Demin will head to the University of Denver. ISS is projecting him as a depth NHL defender who can run a second powerplay.

CJHL SHINING BRIGHT A PAIR OF DYNAMIC BLUELINERS FROM TWO OF CANADA’S TOP JUNIOR A SQUADS ARE AMONG A HANDFUL OF CANADIAN JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE (CJHL) PLAYERS EXPECTED TO HEAR THEIR NAME CALLED AT THE UPCOMING NHL DRAFT. Jacob Bernard-Docker of the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s (AJHL) Okotoks Oilers and Jonathan Tychonick of the British Columbia Hockey League’s (BCHL) Penticton Vees are the top two-ranked Junior A players and both could go as early as the first round. The pair are both high-scoring players with the potential to quarterback the powerplay, and they’re also about to become teammates as they head to the University of North Dakota next season.

25 JACOB BERNARD-DOCKER [D]

OKOTOKS OILERS Ranked No. 25 on ISS final rankings, Bernard-Docker had an odd statline for a defender – 20 goals and 21 assists. In the playoffs, he kept up that trend scoring both seven goals and assists through 15 games. ISS Hockey lists Bernard-Docker as the fifth-best stay at home defenceman, which seems kind of bizarre for a player who scored 20 from the back-end. However, he’s a well-rounded player and is projected to be a top two or four pairing player for many years.

33 JONATHAN TYCHONICK [D]

PENTICTON VEES It will come down to team preference between these two, but Tychonick offers more offensive upside according to the scouts. He’s smaller than his AJHL counterpart, but has more nimble feet and can move slightly better. In a recent article in The Athletic, Tychonick was declared one of the biggest personalities in the draft with a confident demeanour, which could boost his stock. Ranked at 33, Tychonick just missed a point-per-game average, scoring nine goals and 47 points with the 48. In the playoffs, he elevated his game, recording 17 points in 11 matches. At the NHL Draft Combine, Bernard-Docker was the pull-up king, while Tychonick was the highest rated in the left and right agility test. Both had strong performances, pushing to be the latest CJHL first rounders.

TOP 5 TIPS FOR MAXIMUM ON-ICE PERFORMANCE STORY Mike Pickles, Strength and Conditioning Coach

VERY HOCKEY PARENT WANTS THEIR SON or daughter to be successful on the ice and there are so many factors involved that will determine how their future will play out. I know there’s so much information out there now that it can quite overwhelming, which can leave parents feeling like the only option is that more is better. And when I mean more is better, I mean more and more parents are keeping their kids on the ice all year long with no break. Let me tell you this, if you’re that parent just

wait until your kid is burnt out, injury ridden or flat out starts to hate hockey, because it’s too much and quite frankly just isn’t fun anymore. Their chances of quitting are 1 in 5 and sadly I see it every single year. Don’t be that parent. Listen, I understand how parents feel, they just don’t know what the right path is for their kids so they think more is better because that’s what everyone else is doing. Is more ice time really making your kid better, really? How do you know? Think about this for a

moment, how about quality? How about the quality of what your kid is doing be the focus for everything they do to improve every year? I’m talking about doing all the little important things off the ice that will greatly enhance a young hockey player’s physical and mental longevity. Here are my top 5 tips that will help increase your player’s hockey IQ, physical performance, mental focus, and allow them to enjoy the social benefits while learning life-skills and staying injury free.

Get your player to start writing down their top 3 goals and have them make a step by step action plan to accomplish them. Not only will it help increase their awareness for what’s required of the game at an intellectual level, but it will dramatically increase their confidence by being competent, which as an end result will increase their overall performance.

Take the skates off for three months and start a physical strength training program. I’m not even kidding. I had a player who increased their long jump by over 12 inches and their vertical jump by over 10 inches. So what does that mean? It means his strength and power development was off the charts. He went from playing house hockey at the age of 15 to making a Junior A team in only one year. Get off the ice and start strength training in the off-season, trust me.

Parents buy the groceries and cook the food, so when they ask me to talk to their kid about eating properly the first person I look at is the THEM. When I ask players what they had for lunch and they say my mom gave me twenty bucks for lunch because there’s no food in the house, that’s a problem. Parents need to take the time to prepare proper nutrition for their players or they risk not recovering properly and underperforming because they don’t have the required energy and are mentally and physically exhausted.

I can’t tell parents and players enough how important it is to adopt a daily flexibility and mobility routine to help increase the integrity of their joints. Truth be told, I know players can’t stand stretching simply because it’s boring. Remember the ‘reasons’ I mentioned earlier? The reason players should stretch is so they can reduce the chance of injury and perform better on the ice, especially when it comes to increasing their first step quickness.

And last but not least, I can guarantee if you want to see your player inspired and motivated I’d suggest they watch YouTube highlight videos of some of the best hockey players who’ve ever played the game. I recommend anything about Bobby Orr. I am a bit biased since I was born and raised in the same home town, but let me tell you this… watching him skate left me awe!

Putting in the time matters, but never mistake quantity for quality. Focus on these tips to help ensure your young player has a great summer and and keeps improving next season.

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TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

JUNE 2018 JUNENASHVILLE, TN | JUNE 22 - 24 NASHVILLE WEEKEND HOCKEY TOURNAMENT. Male & Female. Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior. Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | JUNE 22 - 24 ATLANTIC CITY CUP. Male. Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels. Contact: goals@chehockey.com or chehockey.com TORONTO, ON | JUNE 22 - 24 OHC - GIRLS HOCKEY MANIA. Female. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com OAKVILLE, ON | JUNE 22 - 24 CHAMPIONS CUP OF CANADA. Male. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com

OSHAWA, ON | JUNE 23 - 24 HOCKEY JERSEY CLASSIC & PUCK & BEACH. Male & Female. Divisions: Adult Rec Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com

JULY 2018 TORONTO, ON | JULY 6 - 8 YOUTH CLASSIC. Male. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com NIAGARA FALLS, ON | JULY 13 - 15 NIAGARA FALLS CHALLENGE 2. Male & Female. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com OSHAWA, ON | JULY 13 - 15 PUCK & BALL CHALLENGE 25+ - COED. Male & Female. Divisions: Adult Rec Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com

ALLISTON, ON | JULY 13 - 15 WHT SUMMER TOURNAMENT 1. Male. Divisions: Novice, Minor Atom, Atom, Minor Peewee, Peewee, Minor Bantam, Bantam, Minor Midget, Midget, Major Midget Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, Selects, AE, MD Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com MONTREAL, QC | JULY 20 - 22 MONTREAL SUMMER BREAKAWAY. Male. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com OSHAWA, ON | JULY 20 - 22 PUCK & BALL CHALLENGE 18+. Male & Female. Divisions: Adult Rec Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com

AUGUST 2018 TORONTO, ON | AUG. 3 - 5 KING OF THE RINGS 1. Male. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com

SALMON ARM, BC | AUG. 10 - 12 SHAW CENTRE CHALLENGE |||. Male & Female. Divisions: Adult and Female Rec Levels: Adult 40 & 50, Female Rec Contact: Gord@habs1.ca or salmonarmhockeytournaments.ca TORONTO, ON | AUG. 10 - 12 KING OF THE RINGS 2. Male. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com TORONTO, ON | AUG. 10 - 12 QUEEN OF THE RINGS. Female. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com ALLISTON, ON | AUG. 10 - 12 WHT SUMMER TOURNAMENT 2. Male. Divisions: Novice, Minor Atom, Atom, Minor Peewee, Peewee, Minor Bantam, Bantam, Minor Midget, Midget, Major Midget Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, Selects, AE, MD Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com MONTREAL, QC | AUG. 17 - 18 MONTREAL SUMMER GETAWAY. Male & Female. Divisions: Adult Rec Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com TORONTO, ON | AUG. 17 - 19 TORONTO PRE-SEASON BLAST. Male. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com SALMON ARM, BC | AUG. 21 - 23 SHAW CENTRE CHALLENGE IV. Male. Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: Oldtimers 60, 65 & 70 Contact: Gord@habs1.ca or salmonarmhockeytournaments.ca WHISTLER, BC | AUG. 22 - 24 WHISTLER CUP. Male. Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels. Contact: goals@chehockey.com or chehockey.com SALMON ARM, BC | AUG. 24 - 26 SHAW CENTRE CHALLENGE V. Divisions: Mens and Female Levels: Co-ed 19+ Contact: Gord@habs1.ca or salmonarmhockeytournaments.ca

SEPTEMBER 2018 CHICAGO, IL | SEPT. 28 - 30 CHICAGO EARLY BIRD CHALLENGE. Male. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com

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ON-ICE

OCTOBER 2018 HALTON HILLS, ON | OCT. 5 - 7 BEST OF THE BEST HOCKEY TOURNAMENT. Male. Divisions: Novice, Minor Atom, Atom, Minor Peewee, Peewee, Minor Bantam, Bantam, Minor Midget, Midget, Major Midget, Squirt Levels: AA, A Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com OSHAWA, ON | OCT. 13 - 14 OCTOBER CLASSIC 1 - MENS. Male & Female. Divisions: Adult Rec Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com LAS VEGAS, NV | OCT. 19 - 21 LAS VEGAS OLD-TIMERS CLASSIC. Male & Female. Divisions: Adult Rec Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com OSHAWA, ON | OCT. 20 - 21 OCTOBER CLASSIC 2 - WOMEN’S & COED. Female. Divisions: Adult Rec Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com

NOVEMBER 2018 BARRIE, ON | NOV. 9 - 11 BARRIE AAA REMEMBRANCE DAY/ VETERANS DAY TOURNAMENT. Male. Divisions: Novice, Minor Atom, Atom, Major Midget, Squirt Levels: AAA Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com OSHAWA, ON | NOV. 10 - 11 NOVEMBER CLASSIC 1 - LADIES/CO-ED - NAQ. Female. Divisions: Adult Rec Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com MONTREAL, QC | NOV. 16 - 18 MONTREAL FALL CLASSIC - NAQ M/W/ COED. Male & Female. Divisions: Adult Rec Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com OSHAWA, ON | NOV. 16 - 18 NOVEMBER CLASSIC 2 - NAQ. Male & Female. Divisions: Adult Rec Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com

PERFORMANCE

CLEARWATER BEACH, FL | NOV. 22 - 25 THANKSGIVING ON THE BEACH. Male & Female. Divisions: Minor Atom, Atom, Minor Peewee, Peewee, Minor Bantam, Bantam, Minor Midget, Midget, Major Midget, Squirt Levels: AA, A, B, Selects, AE, MD Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com CHICAGO, IL | NOV. 23 - 25 CHICAGO THANKSGIVING CLASSIC. Male. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com MONTREAL, QC | NOV. 24 - 25 MONTREAL YOUTH FALL CLASSIC 1. Male. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com MONTREAL, QC | NOV. 30 - DEC. 2 MONTREAL YOUTH FALL CLASSIC 2. Male. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, AE, MD Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com

DECEMBER 2018 TBD, MI | DEC. 27 - 30 ONEHOCKEY GUINNESS RECORD ATTEMPT WORLD HOLIDAY INVITE. Male & Female. Divisions: Novice, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School, Squirt. Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, House. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com HESPELER, ON | DEC. 27 - 30 52ND ANNUAL HESPELER OLYMPICS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT. Male. Divisions: Novice, Minor Atom, Atom, Minor Peewee, Peewee, Minor Bantam, Bantam, Midget, Major Midget, Squirt Levels: A, B, Selects, AE, MD Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com

JANUARY 2019 CLEARWATER BEACH, FL | JAN. 18 - 21 CLEARWATER BEACH MLK INVITATIONAL HOCKEY TOURNAMENT. Male. Divisions: Minor Atom, Atom, Minor Peewee, Peewee, Minor Bantam, Bantam, Minor Midget, Midget, Major Midget, Squirt Levels: AA, A, B, Selects, AE, MD Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com

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