Post by brentdog on Jan 10, 2017 14:15:14 GMT -5
21. Luke Toporowski (LW) – Spokane Chiefs – WHL
Toporowski is a skilled energy forward with a ‘no quit’ attitude. As with many kids with a hockey lineage his hockey sense is arguably his strongest attribute. Does all the little things that coaches love; plays a solid 200-foot game and can be relied on in every situation. Decent skater without displaying spectacular quickness. Offensively he is very clever around the net and has an uncanny ability to find space to tip shots on goal.
22. Mikko Kokkonen (LD) – Pryry Nokia - Mestis
Another member of a strong Finnish showing in this years draft class, Kokkonen is an intriguing two-way blueline prospect given his combination of size and skating ability. When he is playing a simple puck-moving game there aren’t many in this age group that are better. Strong skater with good mobility; has the puck skills to make solid first passes and he transitions well in the neutral zone. Possesses a heavy shot from the point that will likely be a potent weapon when it becomes more accurate. Excellent one-on-one defenseman who is very hard to beat in his own end due to his checking ability and stickwork.
23. Danil Zinovyev (LW) – Serebryanie St. Petersburg – MHL
The 6’4”, 221lbs Zinovyev is a big power forward that is very hard for the opposition to play against. Powerful skater despite a choppy stride and once he gets going he is very hard to stop; can simply power through opponents when necessary. Has good puck skills and smarts and goes to open ice well. Possesses a hard shot that he is capable of releasing quickly and accurately. Plays a complete game and loves to lay on a big hit to win back the puck.
24. Nolan Foote (LW) – San Diego Gulls - AHL
The son of Adam Foote and brother to Callan Foote, Nolan shares their physically imposing stature but has opted to ply his trade as a forward rather than a defenseman. Granted special status to play in the AHL and hasn’t looked out of place with his 6’5”, 215lbs frame. More than willing to get his nose dirty and pay the price for the puck. Combination of soft hands, an accurate shot and his ability to use his frame to create space make him a real scoring threat on the ice.
25. Philip Broberg (LD) – Örebro HK - SHL
Broberg is not an overly flashy defenseman, instead using his size and superior hockey IQ to play a simple but effective game. Fans may not always notice his play but coaches will certainly appreciate his dependability. Skates well for a player of his stature and rarely gets beat wide as he is very good with using his stick and wing span to take away space. Extremely effective at anticipating opposition scoring opportunities and preventing them from happening. 16 points in 52 SHL games this season show he has some offensive upside as well.
26. Albin Grewe (C) – Djugraden – SHL
Grewe is a mature Swedish center who shoots the puck like a pro already. Has already made his senior debut in the SHL at just 18 years of age. Compete level is very high and wins the majority of his puck battles due to his dogged determination. He is used in all situations and is very effective on the penalty kill.
27. Patrik Puistola (LW) – HPK Hämeenlinna – FIN U18
Puistola is a player that has continued to develop throughout the year and has taken his game to a dominant level in the Finnish junior leagues. Very effective skater with a nice stride and when in full flow is hard to keep up to. Has a very good skill set and has scored numerous big goals for his team this season. Displays a good compete level and is definitely a player that is trending the right way.
28. Bowen Byram (LD) Kootenay Ice - WHL
A mobile defender strong on both sides of the puck, Byram was taken 5th overall in the 2016 WHL bantam draft. Capable of logging a lot of minutes for his team and can be used on both the PK and PP. Smooth skater with an almost effortless stride. Showcases good vision and composure from the back end and rarely panics or turns the puck over. Is not afraid to join the rush to try to create offense for his team and unlike many of his peers isn’t reckless in doing.
29. Oscar Bjerselius (C) – Djurgården IF - SHL
A versatile forward capable of playing either wing or center, Bjerselius is a good skater with a great understanding of the game. Very good at ghosting into space; always seems to be in the right place to get the puck on the net. Like most Swedish forwards, he understands his defensive responsibilities and competes hard in every zone as a result.
30. Kirby Dach (C) – Saskatoon Blades – WHL
59 points in 72 WHL games this season highlight the ability of Dach to be a difference maker in each and every game he plays. When he has the puck on his stick, he is one of the most electric players in this age group; can shred defenders with ease and makes plays that you simply don’t see coming. Happy to lay on a big hit and battle hard for the puck in the offensive zone, but definitely needs to work on coverage and positioning on the defensive end.
Honorable mentions – Kieran Brown, Jackson Niedermayer, Michael Gildon, Tobias Björnfot, Maxim Shabanov, Danil Antropov
Toporowski is a skilled energy forward with a ‘no quit’ attitude. As with many kids with a hockey lineage his hockey sense is arguably his strongest attribute. Does all the little things that coaches love; plays a solid 200-foot game and can be relied on in every situation. Decent skater without displaying spectacular quickness. Offensively he is very clever around the net and has an uncanny ability to find space to tip shots on goal.
22. Mikko Kokkonen (LD) – Pryry Nokia - Mestis
Another member of a strong Finnish showing in this years draft class, Kokkonen is an intriguing two-way blueline prospect given his combination of size and skating ability. When he is playing a simple puck-moving game there aren’t many in this age group that are better. Strong skater with good mobility; has the puck skills to make solid first passes and he transitions well in the neutral zone. Possesses a heavy shot from the point that will likely be a potent weapon when it becomes more accurate. Excellent one-on-one defenseman who is very hard to beat in his own end due to his checking ability and stickwork.
23. Danil Zinovyev (LW) – Serebryanie St. Petersburg – MHL
The 6’4”, 221lbs Zinovyev is a big power forward that is very hard for the opposition to play against. Powerful skater despite a choppy stride and once he gets going he is very hard to stop; can simply power through opponents when necessary. Has good puck skills and smarts and goes to open ice well. Possesses a hard shot that he is capable of releasing quickly and accurately. Plays a complete game and loves to lay on a big hit to win back the puck.
24. Nolan Foote (LW) – San Diego Gulls - AHL
The son of Adam Foote and brother to Callan Foote, Nolan shares their physically imposing stature but has opted to ply his trade as a forward rather than a defenseman. Granted special status to play in the AHL and hasn’t looked out of place with his 6’5”, 215lbs frame. More than willing to get his nose dirty and pay the price for the puck. Combination of soft hands, an accurate shot and his ability to use his frame to create space make him a real scoring threat on the ice.
25. Philip Broberg (LD) – Örebro HK - SHL
Broberg is not an overly flashy defenseman, instead using his size and superior hockey IQ to play a simple but effective game. Fans may not always notice his play but coaches will certainly appreciate his dependability. Skates well for a player of his stature and rarely gets beat wide as he is very good with using his stick and wing span to take away space. Extremely effective at anticipating opposition scoring opportunities and preventing them from happening. 16 points in 52 SHL games this season show he has some offensive upside as well.
26. Albin Grewe (C) – Djugraden – SHL
Grewe is a mature Swedish center who shoots the puck like a pro already. Has already made his senior debut in the SHL at just 18 years of age. Compete level is very high and wins the majority of his puck battles due to his dogged determination. He is used in all situations and is very effective on the penalty kill.
27. Patrik Puistola (LW) – HPK Hämeenlinna – FIN U18
Puistola is a player that has continued to develop throughout the year and has taken his game to a dominant level in the Finnish junior leagues. Very effective skater with a nice stride and when in full flow is hard to keep up to. Has a very good skill set and has scored numerous big goals for his team this season. Displays a good compete level and is definitely a player that is trending the right way.
28. Bowen Byram (LD) Kootenay Ice - WHL
A mobile defender strong on both sides of the puck, Byram was taken 5th overall in the 2016 WHL bantam draft. Capable of logging a lot of minutes for his team and can be used on both the PK and PP. Smooth skater with an almost effortless stride. Showcases good vision and composure from the back end and rarely panics or turns the puck over. Is not afraid to join the rush to try to create offense for his team and unlike many of his peers isn’t reckless in doing.
29. Oscar Bjerselius (C) – Djurgården IF - SHL
A versatile forward capable of playing either wing or center, Bjerselius is a good skater with a great understanding of the game. Very good at ghosting into space; always seems to be in the right place to get the puck on the net. Like most Swedish forwards, he understands his defensive responsibilities and competes hard in every zone as a result.
30. Kirby Dach (C) – Saskatoon Blades – WHL
59 points in 72 WHL games this season highlight the ability of Dach to be a difference maker in each and every game he plays. When he has the puck on his stick, he is one of the most electric players in this age group; can shred defenders with ease and makes plays that you simply don’t see coming. Happy to lay on a big hit and battle hard for the puck in the offensive zone, but definitely needs to work on coverage and positioning on the defensive end.
Honorable mentions – Kieran Brown, Jackson Niedermayer, Michael Gildon, Tobias Björnfot, Maxim Shabanov, Danil Antropov