Post by brentdog on Apr 14, 2017 5:43:06 GMT -5
11) Ryan O’Rourke (LD) – Kingston Frontenacs - OHL
Solid, mobile and aggressive, O’Rourke has been a standout performer in the OHL for Kingston, putting up 51 points in 68 games. He’s a complete package, logging top-pair minutes and achoring both the power play and penalty kill. Can be a devastating open-ice hitter and goes for the kill shot without sacrificing too much in positioning. His combination of offensive production and defensive physicality, plus a penchant for big game theatrics, could justifiably translate to an early nod on Draft Day.
12) Sascha Huber (LD) – ZSC Lions – National Liga
Last year saw the Swiss produce one of the best shutdown D in the draft in the shape of Lukas Rubin and Sascha Huber is very much in that mold. His play in his own end is top-level, and his physical presence combined with a willingness to go for the body means that opposing forwards must always be on their toes around him. For a guy of his size Huber is a smooth skater and his active stick makes him difficult to beat one on one. Possesses a booming shot and has worked hard to improve his offensive effectiveness through better decision-making with the puck and improved up-ice passing. Overall a big, physical defender with glimmers of offensive upside.
13) Joshua Lawrence (RW) – Shawinigan Cataractes – QMJHL
The 5’11”, 194 lbs Lawrence is an excellent sniper and one of the best pure scorers available in this year’s draft. His lethal wrist shot is his preferred weapon, but owns a useful slapshot and a snapshot that he can elevate in a hurry. Excellent at finding soft spots; always seems ready to receive a pass in the opponents zone. His one-on-one moves are quite good, too, thanks to impressive agility which he displays in tight situations. Has a slightly awkward upright skating stride, but gets from Point A to Point B just fine. Although he brings offense, his forechecking sometimes goes unnoticed. Likes to cause trouble for defensemen by pressuring them to make plays and cough up the puck.
14) Dylan Peterson (C) – Sault St. Marie Greyhounds – OHL
At 6’4” and 200 lbs, Peterson is a very competitive center who uses his size, skill, and skating to get to the net and create scoring chances. A true power-forward who relishes the highly-contested areas of the ice. Rarely outmuscled on the puck, utilizing his combination of strength, body positioning and hands to maintain lengthy spells of possession. Has an elite-level shot and slick puckhandling abilities; as a result, it's no surprise that he has a natural knack for scoring big goals. Plays a bustling 200-foot game and loves to throw his weight around in the offensive zone. All-in-all, a skilled scoring center that is productive at both ends of the ice.
15) Marco Rossi (C) – EC Red Bull Salzburg – EBEL
A diminutive forward who packs a huge amount of talent into his small frame, the 5’10”, 178 lbs Rossi is a flashy and highly skilled playmaker. Tremendous skater with excellent quickness, balance on his edges and elusiveness with the puck. Excellent stickhandler and this combined with his skating makes him extremely dangerous off the rush. Great vision with the puck and makes tremendous passes. Has a good wrist shot, but opts to be a pass-first playmaker. Determined character who works hard but has limited success defensively due to his lack of strength and reach. Could really use some extra muscle but overall there’s no doubting his offensive skills.
16) Luke Prokop (LD) – Medicine Hat Tigers – WHL
A mammoth left-handed blueliner, Prokop weighs in at an impressive 6’6” and 203 lbs. Not afraid to step up on players at the blueline and he'll play aggressively in the corners and when protecting his crease. Controls the gap very well with strong positioning and good stick work. Solid skater for a guy his size. Good North-South speed allows him to keep up with the play, although a lack of agility can hamper him in tight spaces against shiftier opponents. Handles the puck with confidence and brings an offensive component to his game as a result. More than just your typical huge physical defenseman.
17) Jaromir Pytlik (RW) - Bílí Tygři Liberec – ExtraLiga
One word could be used to accurately describe Jaromir Pytlik as a hockey player: electrifying. An explosive skater and effortless puck handler, fans hold their breath when he has the puck and a full head of steam going up the ice. Can simply dissect opponents while in transition with his elite-level stick skills. Very agile and quick laterally, with a seemingly effortless stride that generates impressive levels of speed from a standing start. Adept at sneaking into deadly scoring areas and exploiting his razor-sharp shot. Not good at engaging physically due to his small stature. Needs to be more responsible defensively as he has displayed a tendency to not pick up his man in his own zone.
18) Ruben Rafkin (RD) - Kingston Frontenacs – OHL
Selected 3rd overall in the CHL import draft, Rafkin has adjusted quickly to North American hockey this season with 46 points in 68 OHL games. Two-way defenseman with both physical and technical skills, solid in his own zone but also a threat on the opposing blueline. Balanced and controlled on his skates and can move very well for his size. Demonstrates strength on the puck and the ability to escape under pressure from the forecheck. Rafkin has excellent passing skills but arguably needs to become more aware of where his team mates are to properly exploit this. Displays strong gap control and rarely lets his man escape from him one-on-one. Could do with exploiting his size more in puck battles.
19) Alexander Holtz (RW) – Timrå IK – Allsvenskan
The rookie scoring leader in the Swedish second tier, Holtz has 27 points in 46 Allsvenskan games for Timrå IK. Has a lot of North American habits to his game, as a big forward who helps defensively and plays with physicality along the boards. Excels at protecting the puck with his long reach, strength and solid balance on his feet. Good skater although it can take him a few strides to get up to top speed. Lacks power in his wrister but nearly always gets it on target. Loves to battle in front of the net and is one of the best in this draft class at tipping shots.
20) Mason Proskin (RD) – Erie Otters – OHL
Picked 10th overall in the 2018 OHL draft, Proskin has been one of the few bright spots for the struggling Otters this season, with 35 points in 68 games. An all action two-way defenseman who loves to get involved at both ends of the ice. Above average passing ability and has a powerful shot from the point. Good hands allow him to make quick adjustments and maintain possession against checking forwards. Able to keep close gaps because of his skating ability and then has the strength to keep guys in check. Only weakness is against shifty forwards as he isn’t as quick laterally as you would ideally like.
Solid, mobile and aggressive, O’Rourke has been a standout performer in the OHL for Kingston, putting up 51 points in 68 games. He’s a complete package, logging top-pair minutes and achoring both the power play and penalty kill. Can be a devastating open-ice hitter and goes for the kill shot without sacrificing too much in positioning. His combination of offensive production and defensive physicality, plus a penchant for big game theatrics, could justifiably translate to an early nod on Draft Day.
12) Sascha Huber (LD) – ZSC Lions – National Liga
Last year saw the Swiss produce one of the best shutdown D in the draft in the shape of Lukas Rubin and Sascha Huber is very much in that mold. His play in his own end is top-level, and his physical presence combined with a willingness to go for the body means that opposing forwards must always be on their toes around him. For a guy of his size Huber is a smooth skater and his active stick makes him difficult to beat one on one. Possesses a booming shot and has worked hard to improve his offensive effectiveness through better decision-making with the puck and improved up-ice passing. Overall a big, physical defender with glimmers of offensive upside.
13) Joshua Lawrence (RW) – Shawinigan Cataractes – QMJHL
The 5’11”, 194 lbs Lawrence is an excellent sniper and one of the best pure scorers available in this year’s draft. His lethal wrist shot is his preferred weapon, but owns a useful slapshot and a snapshot that he can elevate in a hurry. Excellent at finding soft spots; always seems ready to receive a pass in the opponents zone. His one-on-one moves are quite good, too, thanks to impressive agility which he displays in tight situations. Has a slightly awkward upright skating stride, but gets from Point A to Point B just fine. Although he brings offense, his forechecking sometimes goes unnoticed. Likes to cause trouble for defensemen by pressuring them to make plays and cough up the puck.
14) Dylan Peterson (C) – Sault St. Marie Greyhounds – OHL
At 6’4” and 200 lbs, Peterson is a very competitive center who uses his size, skill, and skating to get to the net and create scoring chances. A true power-forward who relishes the highly-contested areas of the ice. Rarely outmuscled on the puck, utilizing his combination of strength, body positioning and hands to maintain lengthy spells of possession. Has an elite-level shot and slick puckhandling abilities; as a result, it's no surprise that he has a natural knack for scoring big goals. Plays a bustling 200-foot game and loves to throw his weight around in the offensive zone. All-in-all, a skilled scoring center that is productive at both ends of the ice.
15) Marco Rossi (C) – EC Red Bull Salzburg – EBEL
A diminutive forward who packs a huge amount of talent into his small frame, the 5’10”, 178 lbs Rossi is a flashy and highly skilled playmaker. Tremendous skater with excellent quickness, balance on his edges and elusiveness with the puck. Excellent stickhandler and this combined with his skating makes him extremely dangerous off the rush. Great vision with the puck and makes tremendous passes. Has a good wrist shot, but opts to be a pass-first playmaker. Determined character who works hard but has limited success defensively due to his lack of strength and reach. Could really use some extra muscle but overall there’s no doubting his offensive skills.
16) Luke Prokop (LD) – Medicine Hat Tigers – WHL
A mammoth left-handed blueliner, Prokop weighs in at an impressive 6’6” and 203 lbs. Not afraid to step up on players at the blueline and he'll play aggressively in the corners and when protecting his crease. Controls the gap very well with strong positioning and good stick work. Solid skater for a guy his size. Good North-South speed allows him to keep up with the play, although a lack of agility can hamper him in tight spaces against shiftier opponents. Handles the puck with confidence and brings an offensive component to his game as a result. More than just your typical huge physical defenseman.
17) Jaromir Pytlik (RW) - Bílí Tygři Liberec – ExtraLiga
One word could be used to accurately describe Jaromir Pytlik as a hockey player: electrifying. An explosive skater and effortless puck handler, fans hold their breath when he has the puck and a full head of steam going up the ice. Can simply dissect opponents while in transition with his elite-level stick skills. Very agile and quick laterally, with a seemingly effortless stride that generates impressive levels of speed from a standing start. Adept at sneaking into deadly scoring areas and exploiting his razor-sharp shot. Not good at engaging physically due to his small stature. Needs to be more responsible defensively as he has displayed a tendency to not pick up his man in his own zone.
18) Ruben Rafkin (RD) - Kingston Frontenacs – OHL
Selected 3rd overall in the CHL import draft, Rafkin has adjusted quickly to North American hockey this season with 46 points in 68 OHL games. Two-way defenseman with both physical and technical skills, solid in his own zone but also a threat on the opposing blueline. Balanced and controlled on his skates and can move very well for his size. Demonstrates strength on the puck and the ability to escape under pressure from the forecheck. Rafkin has excellent passing skills but arguably needs to become more aware of where his team mates are to properly exploit this. Displays strong gap control and rarely lets his man escape from him one-on-one. Could do with exploiting his size more in puck battles.
19) Alexander Holtz (RW) – Timrå IK – Allsvenskan
The rookie scoring leader in the Swedish second tier, Holtz has 27 points in 46 Allsvenskan games for Timrå IK. Has a lot of North American habits to his game, as a big forward who helps defensively and plays with physicality along the boards. Excels at protecting the puck with his long reach, strength and solid balance on his feet. Good skater although it can take him a few strides to get up to top speed. Lacks power in his wrister but nearly always gets it on target. Loves to battle in front of the net and is one of the best in this draft class at tipping shots.
20) Mason Proskin (RD) – Erie Otters – OHL
Picked 10th overall in the 2018 OHL draft, Proskin has been one of the few bright spots for the struggling Otters this season, with 35 points in 68 games. An all action two-way defenseman who loves to get involved at both ends of the ice. Above average passing ability and has a powerful shot from the point. Good hands allow him to make quick adjustments and maintain possession against checking forwards. Able to keep close gaps because of his skating ability and then has the strength to keep guys in check. Only weakness is against shifty forwards as he isn’t as quick laterally as you would ideally like.