ISS Hockey 2018 Draft Rankings (11 - 20)
Aug 21, 2016 6:50:56 GMT -5
Rob, Beans (BOS), and 1 more like this
Post by brentdog on Aug 21, 2016 6:50:56 GMT -5
11. Lukas Wernblom (C) – MODO Hockey – SHL
The son of “Mr. Modo” Magnus Wernblom, Lukas is a hard-working, athletic centre who plays with grit and determination. Despite his lack of bulk, he rarely backs down from a physical challenge and is adept at making himself a nuisance around the net. Sees the ice well and can ghost into space to take advantage of his pro-level shot and quick release. 28 points in 52 SHL games highlight his overall potential to be an impact player at iNHL level.
11. Dennis Busby (RD) – Guelph Storm – OHL
Selected as the first overall pick by Guelp in the 2016 OHL entry draft, Busby is an intense, tenacious defender who thrives in the physical game and shutting down the opposition’s top offensive guns. Good positioning in the defensive zone and displays excellent checking ability to close separation and cut off lanes. Not overly creative and flashy, but can make a good first pass and has a hard, accurate shot from the point that helps to make him more than just a one-dimensional shutdown player.
12. Filip Zadina (LW)- HC Dynamo U18 – CZE-U18
At 6’2” and 211 pounds, Zadina combines elite hockey sense with pro-level size and skill. He can play physical, but is at his best when using his high-end shot, stickhandling, and footspeed to generate big numbers in the opposition's end of the ice. Has a high compete level and tends to play his best in big matches, particularly on the international stage with Czech youth teams. Needs to step up from the Czech U18 league to challenge himself further but has the potential to be a first-line impact player in the iNHL.
13. Calen Addison (RD) – Lethbridge Hurricanes – WHL
Drafted 2nd overall in the 2015 WHL Bantam draft, Addison is a mobile, puck advancing defender with excellent offensive instincts. His 76 points in 72 games leads all defensemen in the OHL. A talented, fluid skater with an effortless stride that handles the puck well. Excels when quarter-backing the PP, has a very high panic threshold when pressured and constantly looks for ‘back door’ opportunities when shooting lanes are blocked. Not a physical presence but defends by winning races and checking his opponent effectively.
14. Mikhail Bitsadze (LW) – Dynamo Moscow – KHL
Bitsadze is a flashy offensive forward with elite scoring skills and very good hands in tight places. His vision, creativity and one-on-one skills are extremely good and make him a threat from anywhere in the offensive zone. Likely needs to bulk up and add some grit to have success at the next level but has significant upside if he can do so. Also watch out if he’s killing penalties – he’s an up-ice threat who always looks to create offense when down a man.
15. Ty Smith (LD) - Spokane Chiefs - WHL
Smith, an offensively gifted defenseman with vision who has drawn comparisons to Morgan Rielly, was selected first overall by the Chiefs in the 2015 WHL Bantam draft. Since then he has gone on to become one of the premier offensive D in the WHL, recording 127 points in 144 games across two seasons. Very confident with the puck and a natural puck mover on the backend; good skater with excellent mobility who has the strength to stand up for himself physically if required.
16. Alexander Zhabreyev (C) – Dynamo St. Petersburg – MHL
Zhabreyev is a potential top-flight iNHL hockey player in a small package. He is a terrific skater, both with and without the puck: his quickness and acceleration are high end and has the agility to match. Possesses excellent hands and vision and is able to make quick decisions with the puck to get it to the right places. His combination of puck skills, compete level and explosive skating give him the tools needed to overcome any issues he might have because of his size.
17. Blade Jenkins (C) – Janesville Jets – USHL
The 6'1", 193 lbs Jenkins is an elite-level playmaker who gets involved all over the ice. He displays patience and skill with the puck, aiming to get his teammates involved in the play. Has an accurate wrister that allows him to finish opportunities as well as create them, as shown by 61 points in 46 UHSL games. A dynamic skater player who is flat out fun to watch because of his compete level and skillset.
18. Olivier Mathieu (LW) – Saint John Sea Dogs – OMJHL
Together with Joe Veleno, Mathieu has been a huge part of why Saint John are potentially in position to win yet another back-to-back championship, with 64 points in 68 games this season. A hard-working, intelligent forward with good defensive anticipation and a great pokecheck. Not the flashiest player on the ice, but always a threat to get on the scoreboard due to his ability to find the open spot in the offensive zone and his hard, quick release when shooting.
19. Aidan Dudas (C) – Kitchener Rangers - OHL
Taken 1st overall in last year’s OHL Priority Selection, Dudas is undoubtedly one of the most skilled players in the 2018 draft class. In an injury-interrupted season has put up 65 points in 66 games for the struggling Kitchener Rangers. A tremendous skater with high-end hands and deking skills; has the ability to shred opposing defenseman with his elite-level one-on-one ability. Great balance and agility makes him hard to hit, which compensates somewhat for his lack of size. A definite risk/reward pick, but in the ‘new-game’ that has a focus on speed and skill Dudas is a player with a huge potential upside.
20. Brady Tkachuk (C) – Clarkson Golden Knights - NCAA
Son of Keith, brother to Matt, Brady is a competitive power forward who has a great combination of skill, scoring ability and determination. Perhaps a slightly better skater than his brother, with a great first stride, but lacking some of the hockey-sense of his older sibling. Determined and gritty, he loves to go to the hard areas of the ice and cash-in on the opportunities generated there.
The son of “Mr. Modo” Magnus Wernblom, Lukas is a hard-working, athletic centre who plays with grit and determination. Despite his lack of bulk, he rarely backs down from a physical challenge and is adept at making himself a nuisance around the net. Sees the ice well and can ghost into space to take advantage of his pro-level shot and quick release. 28 points in 52 SHL games highlight his overall potential to be an impact player at iNHL level.
11. Dennis Busby (RD) – Guelph Storm – OHL
Selected as the first overall pick by Guelp in the 2016 OHL entry draft, Busby is an intense, tenacious defender who thrives in the physical game and shutting down the opposition’s top offensive guns. Good positioning in the defensive zone and displays excellent checking ability to close separation and cut off lanes. Not overly creative and flashy, but can make a good first pass and has a hard, accurate shot from the point that helps to make him more than just a one-dimensional shutdown player.
12. Filip Zadina (LW)- HC Dynamo U18 – CZE-U18
At 6’2” and 211 pounds, Zadina combines elite hockey sense with pro-level size and skill. He can play physical, but is at his best when using his high-end shot, stickhandling, and footspeed to generate big numbers in the opposition's end of the ice. Has a high compete level and tends to play his best in big matches, particularly on the international stage with Czech youth teams. Needs to step up from the Czech U18 league to challenge himself further but has the potential to be a first-line impact player in the iNHL.
13. Calen Addison (RD) – Lethbridge Hurricanes – WHL
Drafted 2nd overall in the 2015 WHL Bantam draft, Addison is a mobile, puck advancing defender with excellent offensive instincts. His 76 points in 72 games leads all defensemen in the OHL. A talented, fluid skater with an effortless stride that handles the puck well. Excels when quarter-backing the PP, has a very high panic threshold when pressured and constantly looks for ‘back door’ opportunities when shooting lanes are blocked. Not a physical presence but defends by winning races and checking his opponent effectively.
14. Mikhail Bitsadze (LW) – Dynamo Moscow – KHL
Bitsadze is a flashy offensive forward with elite scoring skills and very good hands in tight places. His vision, creativity and one-on-one skills are extremely good and make him a threat from anywhere in the offensive zone. Likely needs to bulk up and add some grit to have success at the next level but has significant upside if he can do so. Also watch out if he’s killing penalties – he’s an up-ice threat who always looks to create offense when down a man.
15. Ty Smith (LD) - Spokane Chiefs - WHL
Smith, an offensively gifted defenseman with vision who has drawn comparisons to Morgan Rielly, was selected first overall by the Chiefs in the 2015 WHL Bantam draft. Since then he has gone on to become one of the premier offensive D in the WHL, recording 127 points in 144 games across two seasons. Very confident with the puck and a natural puck mover on the backend; good skater with excellent mobility who has the strength to stand up for himself physically if required.
16. Alexander Zhabreyev (C) – Dynamo St. Petersburg – MHL
Zhabreyev is a potential top-flight iNHL hockey player in a small package. He is a terrific skater, both with and without the puck: his quickness and acceleration are high end and has the agility to match. Possesses excellent hands and vision and is able to make quick decisions with the puck to get it to the right places. His combination of puck skills, compete level and explosive skating give him the tools needed to overcome any issues he might have because of his size.
17. Blade Jenkins (C) – Janesville Jets – USHL
The 6'1", 193 lbs Jenkins is an elite-level playmaker who gets involved all over the ice. He displays patience and skill with the puck, aiming to get his teammates involved in the play. Has an accurate wrister that allows him to finish opportunities as well as create them, as shown by 61 points in 46 UHSL games. A dynamic skater player who is flat out fun to watch because of his compete level and skillset.
18. Olivier Mathieu (LW) – Saint John Sea Dogs – OMJHL
Together with Joe Veleno, Mathieu has been a huge part of why Saint John are potentially in position to win yet another back-to-back championship, with 64 points in 68 games this season. A hard-working, intelligent forward with good defensive anticipation and a great pokecheck. Not the flashiest player on the ice, but always a threat to get on the scoreboard due to his ability to find the open spot in the offensive zone and his hard, quick release when shooting.
19. Aidan Dudas (C) – Kitchener Rangers - OHL
Taken 1st overall in last year’s OHL Priority Selection, Dudas is undoubtedly one of the most skilled players in the 2018 draft class. In an injury-interrupted season has put up 65 points in 66 games for the struggling Kitchener Rangers. A tremendous skater with high-end hands and deking skills; has the ability to shred opposing defenseman with his elite-level one-on-one ability. Great balance and agility makes him hard to hit, which compensates somewhat for his lack of size. A definite risk/reward pick, but in the ‘new-game’ that has a focus on speed and skill Dudas is a player with a huge potential upside.
20. Brady Tkachuk (C) – Clarkson Golden Knights - NCAA
Son of Keith, brother to Matt, Brady is a competitive power forward who has a great combination of skill, scoring ability and determination. Perhaps a slightly better skater than his brother, with a great first stride, but lacking some of the hockey-sense of his older sibling. Determined and gritty, he loves to go to the hard areas of the ice and cash-in on the opportunities generated there.