ISS Hockey 2017 Preliminary Draft Rankings (11 - 20)
Apr 7, 2016 3:41:44 GMT -5
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Post by brentdog on Apr 7, 2016 3:41:44 GMT -5
11. Rickard Hugg (C) – Hamilton Bulldogs – OHL
Drafted 6th overall in the CHL import draft by the Hamilton Bulldogs, Hugg has an excellent 21 points in 21 games in his debut season. Described as a determined centre with strong compete skills; likes to get involved in all of the critical areas of the game. Good skater who plays with confidence and has the useful ability to properly utilize the skills and talents of those around him.
12. Jesper Boqvist (C) – Brynäs IF – SHL
Heralded as being on a par with former Brynäs alumni such as Niklas Backstrom, Elias Lindholm and Jakob Silfverberg. After putting up a point per game in the juniors has been thrust into the first line at Brynäs and not wilted, with an excellent return of 14 points in 16 games. Great reading of the game and has the uncanny ability to find open space on the ice. Quick hands and creativity shine through even when playing against older pros in the SHL.
13. Owen Tippet (RW) – Mississauga Steelheads - OHL
Tippett, a Peterborough native, is an exciting player to watch with his combination of explosive speed and gritty, all-action play. Smart with the puck and can make plays; has an excellent shot that can beat goalies through release and accuracy alone. Difficult to catch when he has the step on a defenceman, Tippet isn't afraid to push his way into hard areas and establish himself where the rewards are handed out. Has 16 points in 19 games for Mississauga and could climb up the rankings if he keeps up that level of production.
14. Alexei Lipanov (RW) – MVD Balashikha - MHL
Has flown under the radar in the MHL and first made North American scouts sit up and take notice at the WHC-17 tournament with 4 points in 6 games. An offensive dynamo with the type of speed that can break down defenders and leave them looking foolish. Has excellent agility and quickness that he uses very well in tight areas. Needs to sharpen up on the backcheck and perhaps not as physical as iNHL scouts would like, which together with his contract status could see him drop out of the Top 10 overall, but has significant offensive potential.
15. Casey Mittelstadt (C) – Minnesota Golden Gophers - NCAA
Considered the best college prospect in this years draft class, Mittelstadt was once described by a junior coach as being able to “stickhandle his way out of a phone booth.” Fast with quickness and a change of pace and agility that makes him very difficult to keep in check. Has excellent poise with the ability to hold the puck to allow a play to develop. Put up big points last year in the NCAA and little reason to doubt he will do so again this year.
16. Kristian Vesalainen (LW) - Frölunda HC - SHL
9 points in 16 games in the SHL after putting up more than a point per game in the juniors last season. A rugged, assertive winger, Vesalainen is not afraid to imposes himself physically on opponents with his 6'3”, 212 lbs frame. A powerful skater with good agility which combined with his size can see him beat an opponent in multiple ways. If he continues his current rate of progression could well form a powerful tandem with Eeli Tolvanen for Team Finland that rivals the Laine-Puljujariv partnership of the '98 draft class.
17. Lias Andersson (C) - HV71 – J18 Elit
Lias is the son of former New York Islander Niklas Andersson, who played 165 NHL-games in the mid-90s. Very intelligent player who uses his hockey smarts and speed to make plays. Had a great tournament at the 2015 Five Nations Cup, with three goals and three assists in four games. Formerly projected as a Top-10 pick, is surprisingly still playing in the Swedish U18 League and has seen his standing in the draft drop somewhat as a result.
18. Juuso Valimaki (RD) – Tri-City Americans - WHL
Yet another member of a strong list of 2016 WHL prospects, Valimaki plays a simple but effective game at both ends of the rink. Defensively he has solid positioning and an active stick. Offensively he doesn’t lead the rush but can start it with a good first pass. Not likely to put up big points as attested to by just 7 in 19 games for the Tri-City Americans, but projects as a strong shut-down defenseman likely to go mid-to-late in the first round.
19. Kailer Yamamoto (C) – Spokane Chiefs - WHL
Skilled sniper who enjoyed a phenomeneal 15/16 season with 77 points in 64 games for the Spokane Chiefs. Pace has dipped slightly with 16 points in 18 games this season but remains a high-end talent with equally high-end smarts; excellent skater with speed to break free and an explosive step that makes him extremely difficult to deter. At just 5'9” size counts against him and this will likely see him go outside the Top 15 overall.
20. Adam Tilander (RD) – Skellefteå AIK - SHL
Highly mobile, right-handed shot defenseman. A creative puck carrier with a booming shot that makes him a real weapon on the power play. Likes to solve tricky situations with his hockey sense and stick work rather than playing the body. Has 7 points in 17 games in the SHL.
Drafted 6th overall in the CHL import draft by the Hamilton Bulldogs, Hugg has an excellent 21 points in 21 games in his debut season. Described as a determined centre with strong compete skills; likes to get involved in all of the critical areas of the game. Good skater who plays with confidence and has the useful ability to properly utilize the skills and talents of those around him.
12. Jesper Boqvist (C) – Brynäs IF – SHL
Heralded as being on a par with former Brynäs alumni such as Niklas Backstrom, Elias Lindholm and Jakob Silfverberg. After putting up a point per game in the juniors has been thrust into the first line at Brynäs and not wilted, with an excellent return of 14 points in 16 games. Great reading of the game and has the uncanny ability to find open space on the ice. Quick hands and creativity shine through even when playing against older pros in the SHL.
13. Owen Tippet (RW) – Mississauga Steelheads - OHL
Tippett, a Peterborough native, is an exciting player to watch with his combination of explosive speed and gritty, all-action play. Smart with the puck and can make plays; has an excellent shot that can beat goalies through release and accuracy alone. Difficult to catch when he has the step on a defenceman, Tippet isn't afraid to push his way into hard areas and establish himself where the rewards are handed out. Has 16 points in 19 games for Mississauga and could climb up the rankings if he keeps up that level of production.
14. Alexei Lipanov (RW) – MVD Balashikha - MHL
Has flown under the radar in the MHL and first made North American scouts sit up and take notice at the WHC-17 tournament with 4 points in 6 games. An offensive dynamo with the type of speed that can break down defenders and leave them looking foolish. Has excellent agility and quickness that he uses very well in tight areas. Needs to sharpen up on the backcheck and perhaps not as physical as iNHL scouts would like, which together with his contract status could see him drop out of the Top 10 overall, but has significant offensive potential.
15. Casey Mittelstadt (C) – Minnesota Golden Gophers - NCAA
Considered the best college prospect in this years draft class, Mittelstadt was once described by a junior coach as being able to “stickhandle his way out of a phone booth.” Fast with quickness and a change of pace and agility that makes him very difficult to keep in check. Has excellent poise with the ability to hold the puck to allow a play to develop. Put up big points last year in the NCAA and little reason to doubt he will do so again this year.
16. Kristian Vesalainen (LW) - Frölunda HC - SHL
9 points in 16 games in the SHL after putting up more than a point per game in the juniors last season. A rugged, assertive winger, Vesalainen is not afraid to imposes himself physically on opponents with his 6'3”, 212 lbs frame. A powerful skater with good agility which combined with his size can see him beat an opponent in multiple ways. If he continues his current rate of progression could well form a powerful tandem with Eeli Tolvanen for Team Finland that rivals the Laine-Puljujariv partnership of the '98 draft class.
17. Lias Andersson (C) - HV71 – J18 Elit
Lias is the son of former New York Islander Niklas Andersson, who played 165 NHL-games in the mid-90s. Very intelligent player who uses his hockey smarts and speed to make plays. Had a great tournament at the 2015 Five Nations Cup, with three goals and three assists in four games. Formerly projected as a Top-10 pick, is surprisingly still playing in the Swedish U18 League and has seen his standing in the draft drop somewhat as a result.
18. Juuso Valimaki (RD) – Tri-City Americans - WHL
Yet another member of a strong list of 2016 WHL prospects, Valimaki plays a simple but effective game at both ends of the rink. Defensively he has solid positioning and an active stick. Offensively he doesn’t lead the rush but can start it with a good first pass. Not likely to put up big points as attested to by just 7 in 19 games for the Tri-City Americans, but projects as a strong shut-down defenseman likely to go mid-to-late in the first round.
19. Kailer Yamamoto (C) – Spokane Chiefs - WHL
Skilled sniper who enjoyed a phenomeneal 15/16 season with 77 points in 64 games for the Spokane Chiefs. Pace has dipped slightly with 16 points in 18 games this season but remains a high-end talent with equally high-end smarts; excellent skater with speed to break free and an explosive step that makes him extremely difficult to deter. At just 5'9” size counts against him and this will likely see him go outside the Top 15 overall.
20. Adam Tilander (RD) – Skellefteå AIK - SHL
Highly mobile, right-handed shot defenseman. A creative puck carrier with a booming shot that makes him a real weapon on the power play. Likes to solve tricky situations with his hockey sense and stick work rather than playing the body. Has 7 points in 17 games in the SHL.