2013 NHL Draft Rankings – War Room Top 120 Final Edition – Round 1

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by Eldon MacDonald (edited by @ChrisRalphTHW)

Round 1: Prospects Ranked 1 to 30

This is the last of four posts highlighting the top 120 prospects for this year’s entry draft in June in Newark, New Jersey – the 2013 NHL Draft Rankings: War Room Final Edition.

We have attempted to provide you in depth information in order for you to make up your own mind as to who you would like your team to draft in the first round. For most players, we have included the following:

  1. All the published major rankings
  2. Two profile links
  3. Two to three quotes
  4. One audio link
  5. One tweet and their twitter account
  6. Two to four videos
  7. Live stats from eliteprospects.com.  If you bookmark this page, you can look up the player in the future and have the stats updated to (or close to) the date of your lookup.

NHL 2013 Draft War Room Awards

1. The Muhammed Ali, I am the Greatest Award

March comments: It’s not over but the guy who tops Seth Jones will have to bring back the mountain (Memorial Cup) to overtake him.

June update: Well Nathan, you did it and you added an MVP award and a generational performance to boot! If you don’t look at anything else in this posting, watch the videos on Nathan. Soak up the motivational video shown to Nathan and the other Moosehead players prior to the final Memorial Cup game. Then bathe in the highlights of Nathan’s MVP cup winning performance and try to tell me that the motivational video didn’t have any effect. Finally, lower your heart rate and take in the video of Nathan driving Jonathan Drouin to hockey practice – two brothers from a different mother – got to love their interaction.

Yes, I still believe Seth Jones will be selected first overall by Colorado because they have a glut of centres and a dearth of quality d-men plus the fact that Seth is considered a local boy and even was introduced to skating through Joe Sakic, VP of Hockey Operations for the Avalanche. However, Nathan is still my man for number one at the 2013 NHL draft in New Jersey. Watch it on TSN.ca starting at 2:30 PM EST on June 30th, 2013.

Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin
Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin: the Halifax Mooseheads dynamic duo. (Mike Dembeck)

2. The Brandon Saad Award

March comments: I may not look so hot right now but watch me next year award.

June update: Well, Nikita, you looked impressive in the playoffs and your team went all the way to the Memorial Cup so I think you will retain your top 10 status.

Frédérik, you did a marvelous job on that old “glass is half full” trick. Listen to half the fans and scouts and they will tell that Freddy was awful in the latter part of the season, the QMJHL playoffs and even the preliminary part of the U18’s. Listen to the other half of the fans and scouts and they will concede that what the other half said is true. However, they will also point out that in the final two games of Canada’s gold medal winning U18 performance, it was Frédérik Gauthier who was Canada’s best player and the difference maker in all situations that made the gold medal possible – offense, defense, PK, face-offs, last minute, last second. One of the teams that employ “a glass is half-full scout” is likely to pick our boy Freddy, very, very high – teens for sure maybe even pushing 10.

Justin, you are one of my personal favourites, but you didn’t elevate your game at the end of the season so I guess that you should win this award. However, not to worry, there are enough teams out there who are “giddy” and I really mean really, really giddy about your potential (like I am) that you will be off the board before 40, maybe even first round.

  • Justin Bailey, Kitchener
  • Nikita Zadorov, London
  • FrédérikGauthier, Rimouski

3. The Sebastian Collberg Award

March comments: The oops, I may drop to the 2nd round in spite of my talent award.

June update: The problem for Artturi was that there were so many excellent performances from players at the U18’s of larger size in his draft range that Artturi slipped in my rankings in spite of his fine U18 results. Also of concern to me and the scouting fraternity is the amount of injuries Artturi received during the year.

  • Out of the 1st round: Artturi Lehkonen, KalPa – SM-liiga. Here, the issue is size. (Also, injuries)
  • Still in 1st round: Andre Burakovsky, Malmo – Allsvenskan. Here, the issue is results.

4. The “A” Award

March comments: The best player from the USA award. Shall we just give Seth the award right now?

June update: It will come as no surprise to anyone that Seth Jones is the runaway winner. Steve, you are the player I want my favourite NHL team to draft in the first round – thanks and congratulations for that very impressive top d-man performance at the U18’s.

  • Seth Jones, Portland
  • Adam Erne, Quebec
  • Steve Santini, USA NDTP U18
  • Out of top three from March: Ian McCoshen, Waterloo

5. The “E” Award

March comments: The best player out of Europe award. Aleksander, I think it should be you but Valeri is making one determined last ditch effort down the stretch.

June update: Valeri, the fact that you tore up your KHL contract to play in the NHL next season almost did it for me. However, Aleksander, you are still my man, I just love big-man centres.

  • Aleksander Barkov, Tappara – SM-liiga
  • Valeri Nichushkin, Chelyabinsk – KHL
  • Elias Lindholm, Brynas – Elitserien

6. The “O” Award

March comments: The best player out of the OHL award. Sean, I like you a lot but Darnell is creeping ever so close.

June update: Sean, I still love you. I hope you like Alberta as Edmonton or Calgary is likely your destination. Nikita, you showed me enough in the playoffs to just edge Darnell.

  • Sean Monahan, Ottawa
  • Nikita Zadorov, London
  • Darnell Nurse, Sault Ste. Marie

7. The “Q” Award

March comments: The best player out of the QMJHL award. OK, Jonathan and Nathan, which one of you is going to make the other guy look better?

June update: OK, you know the answer already and we already talked extensively about Freddy. Jonathan, I think you are going to TampaBay. While Stevie Y loves his Russians, I can’t imagine that he will pass up on a guy who will set up Steven Samkos for 50, 60, 70 goals a year for the next 10 to 15 years – not going to happen.

  • Nathan MacKinnon, Halifax
  • Jonathan Drouin, Halifax
  • Frédérik Gauthier, Rimouski
  • Out of top three from March: Adam Erne, Quebec

8. The “W” Award

March comments: The best player out of the WHL award. Yes, Seth, you can take it home right now.

June update: Seth, you deserve this award. Good luck in your NHL career with Colorado or on the off chance with Florida. Josh, loved your Duncan Keith-like performance at the U18’s.

  • Seth Jones, Portland
  • Hunter Shinkaruk, Medicine Hat
  • Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert
  • Out of top three from March: Ryan Pulock, Brandon

9. The Phil Kessel Award

The June surprise award. This award goes to the last player ranked in the first round. And the winner is:

  • Jacob de la Rose, Leksand

No, Jacob, you don’t win a car with this award. However, if you keep up your hard work, you will likely get yourself a big, fat NHL contract in the future.

Historic Success Rate

The historic success rate for players ranked 1 to 15 is around 82% while rankings 16 to 30 carry a 76% success rate.

Other Rankings

NHL – Final- Combined rankings of the NHL’s final4 lists at the TheHockeyWriters.com

Bob MacKenzie – Mid-season – Top 60  – Poll of NHL scouts at TSN

Chris Ralph – Mid-season – Top 100

Craig Button – Final- Top 75

Future Considerations – Final  – Top 30

Hockey Prospect – Final – Top 30

Hockey Prospectus – Final – Top 250

ISS – Final – Top 30

  • Round 1 (Prospects ranked 1-30)
  • Round 2 (Prospects ranked 31-60)
  • Round 3 (Prospects ranked 61-90)
  • Round 4 (Prospects ranked 91-120)

2013 NHL Draft War Room Top 120 Final Rankings (Round 1: 1-30)

1. MacKinnon, Nathan

  • Hashtag:MrMacMoney
  • Team:#22, Halifax, QMJHL
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height:6’0
  • Weight:182 lb.
  • Born:Halifax, NS, 1-Sep-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 1 -Hockey Prospect
    • 1 – ISS
    • 2 – NHL
    • 2 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 2 – Chris Ralph
    • 2 – Future Considerations
    • 2 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 3 – Craig Button
    • Twitter A/C:@Mackinnon9
  • Profile 1:Christopher Ralph at THW
  • Profile 2: A profile on Nathan at the start of the season at THW Combine
  • Quote 1: ISS Director of Scouting, Dennis MacInnis, as quoted on MetroNews.ca, “Nathan MacKinnon moves back to ISS No. 1 after answering any questions we had about him with his dominating MVP Memorial Cup performance. I have personally been watching MacKinnon since he was a peewee, and while his skills have become top one per cent in the world, what has impressed me most has been his growing maturity – the bigger the moment, the more hungry he becomes.”
  • Quote 2: Ryan Kennedy at TheHockeyNews.com, “His explosive stride separates him from everyone else, while the pivot can get red-hot in the faceoff circle and also play a chippy, physical game. That’s what NHL scouts love to see.”
  • Quote 3: Louis Elliot at Yahoo! Sports, “Mackinnon is noted for having a pro-style, two-way game. He will easily crack Florida’s roster as soon as next year, perhaps even as a first-liner. His scoring ability will naturally compliment and serve to take pressure off of Huberdeau. As a team that has significantly lacked offensive fire power since the days of the Russian Rocket, the Panthers won’t pass up the chemistry and skill level of the potential potent duo of forwards. A combination of Huberdeau and Mackinnon would solidify the Panthers’ offense for years to come.”
  • Audio: FromThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: Memorial Cup MVP performance fromSportsnet.ca
  • Video 2: Motivational video that Nathan and the rest of the Mooseheads watched prior to the Memorial Cup final game from Neate Sager atYahoo! Sports Canada
  • Video 3: Memorial Cup Game Two from Sportsnet.ca
  • Video 4: Nathan drives Jonathan Drouin to hockey practice: Uploaded to YouTube by 7JohnMoore.

2. Jones, Seth

Seth Jones
Seth Jones at the CHL Top Prospects game for 2013 NHL Draft eligible players. [photo: David Chan]
  • Hashtag:TheBearBackThere
  • Team:#3, Portland, WHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Right:
  • Height:6’4
  • Weight: 206 lb.
  • Born: Plano, TX, 3-Oct-94
  • Other rankings:
    • 1 – NHL
    • 1 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 1 – Craig Button
    • 1 – Future Considerations
    • 2 – Hockey Prospect
    • 2 – ISS
    • 3 – Chris Ralph
    • 3 – Hockey Prospectus
    • Twitter A/C:@seth_jones3
https://twitter.com/seth_jones3/status/328010700813381632
  • Profile 1:Andrew Eide at THW
  • Profile 2: Sandie Gauthier at MileHighHockey.com
  • Quote 1: From TheHockeyNews.com, “The son of former NBA power forward Popeye Jones is a great athlete with impressive all-round upside from the back end. Can put up good point totals, log a ton of ice time and play a shutdown role if need be. Is a difference-maker.”
  • Quote 2: Anton Tibaldi at JrHockeyRecruit.com, “Jones is an extremely rare blend of size, mobility, skill and raw athletic ability. He already has an NHL frame, standing 6’4 205 lbs, and despite his size, has exceptional mobility and a very smooth skating stride.  He uses this high-end skating ability in Portland to carry the puck out of his own end and through the neutral zone with relative ease. When he isn’t given room to skate, Seth’s superb vision allows him to identify the appropriate outlet and make a crisp first pass out of the zone to start the play up ice. His calm demeanour and high hockey IQ means he seldom makes mistakes and turnovers in his own end are rare.”
  • Video 1:Top Prospect Watch: From WHL.ca
  • Video 2:NHL Combine from NHL.com
  • Video 2: 2013 WJC U20 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 3: Craig Button’s Take: Uploaded to YouTube by TheBadQuality.
  • Video 4: Seth interviews his Dad, former NBA player – Popeye Jones at NHL.com.

3. Drouin, Jonathan

  • Hashtag:MrSmoothAndEasy
  • Team:#27, Halifax, QMJHL
  • Position: Left Wing
  • Hoots: Left
  • Height:5’11
  • Weight:190 lb.
  • Born: Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, QC, 27-Mar-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 1 – Chris Ralph
    • 1 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 2 – Craig Button
    • 3 – NHL
    • 3 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 3 – Future Considerations
    • 3 – Hockey Prospect
    • 3 – ISS
    • Twitter A/C:@jodrouin27
  • Profile 1:Christopher Ralph at THW
  • Quote 1: Christopher Ralph @ THW, “Two words sum up the case (or least make a good starting point) for choosing the sublime winger over the two aforementioned potential cornerstone prospects – hockey sense. Often used when describing, but what really do we mean when we talk about hockey sense. Not easy to put to words, but his awareness, vision, anticipation, poise and focus are all off the charts. Jonathan doesn’t just go where the puck is; he goes to where the puck will be.”
    • The Human Hockey Highlight Film
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Jonathan will have to have an enormous playoff run to get past Seth Jones to go first in the 2013 draft. However, Jonathan has already had an enormous playoff run (leading Halifax after being down 3-0 against Quebec last year to victory in overtime in game 7) under his belt so that is not an impossibility. So how did Jonathan do in the 1st game of the Q playoffs – 6 points. Game on! To those who say Jonathan hasn’t a chance of going first, I just ask you to watch the montage of Jonathan put up by Chris Ralph at THW.  The only word that comes close to describing Jonathan’s play in this montage is “rudiculous”, a word I made up to describe a performance so overwhelming that it is rude to the opponent.”
  • Audio: FromThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: Deking Them Out of Their Pants at CBC.ca[removed by source]
  • Video 2: Profile at NHL.com
  • Video 3: Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by NathanBrown17.
  • Video 4: Jonathan’s 2011-12 QMJHL playoff game winning goal in overtime against Quebec in game 7: Uploaded to YouTube by Halifax Mooseheads.

4. Barkov, Aleksander

  • Hashtag: SisuSasha
  • Team:#16, Tappara, Sm-liiga
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 205 lb.
  • Born: Tampere, Finland, 2-Sep-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 4 – NHL 4
    • 4 – Bob MacKenzie 4
    • 4 – Chris Ralph 4
    • 4 – Craig Button
    • 4 – Future Considerations
    • 5 – Hockey Prospect
    • 5 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 5 – ISS 5
    • Twitter A/C:@Barkovsasha95
  • Profile 1: Carl Maloney – The Next Ones
  • Profile 2: Matt Wagner at JacketsCannon.com
  • Profile 2: WB Philp at NHLShout.com
  • Quote 1: NHL Director of European Scouting, GoranStubb @ NHL.com, “He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. He’s a very good stick-handler with great vision. He’s one the better two-way players in this class and has shown more consistency than any other European over a full season.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Big, mature, calm, composed, competitive, creative, excellent vision, quick hands, great passer, has a very good shot but could use it more often, works in all situations, plays on the top line in the top Finnish professional league, the SM-liiga. With the lockout, Aleksander has had the opportunity to play against NHLers and looked very good against them. The team drafting Alexander is expecting to get a big-man first line centre.”
  • Video 1: NHLCombine: FromOilers.NHL.com
  • Video 2: Aleksander’s first 7 SM-liiga goals: Uploaded to YouTube by NorthernHockey.
  • Video 3: Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by TNfelldin.
  • Video 4: Craig Button’s Analysis: Uploaded to YouTube by ThePellinenNHL.

5. Nichushkin, Valeri

  • Hashtag: MrGameBreaker
  • Team: #43, Chelyabinsk, KHL
  • Position: Centre/Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’4
  • Weight:196 lb.
  • Born:Chelyabinsk, Russia, 4-Mar-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 4 – ISS
    • 4 – Hockey Prospect
    • 4 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 5 – NHL
    • 5 – Craig Button
    • 5 – Future Considerations
    • 10 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 10 – Chris Ralph
    • Twitter A/C: None found
  • Profile 1: David OConnor atTHW
  • Profile 2: Todd Cordell at HockeyBuzz.com
  • Quote 1: Dennis MacInnis, scouting director for International Scouting Services at TheStar.com, “He’s unbelievably skilled. He’s a game-breaker. He looks an awful lot like (Evgeni) Malkin out there. He’s the wild card of this whole thing. He could go anywhere from 3 to 5. If he slips farther than that, somebody has made a big mistake.”
  • Quote 2: Ben Kerr @ LastWordOnSports, “Nichushkin has a great combination of size and skill.  At 6’04, he is a big and powerful forward, who is extremely hard to stop when he decides that he is going to take the puck to the net.  He has great stickhandling ability and puck possession skill, allowing him to also add a skilled finesse game to that  package of raw power.  Add to that excellent vision and playmaking skills, and a real nose for the net, and you have a complete offensive package.  Nichushkin’s size also makes him strong along the boards, effective on the forecheck, and a difficult man to move from the front of the net.”
  • Quote 3: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Took off after the WJC U20, blew away the opposition at the 5 Nations tournament with 11 points in just 4 games. Elevated to the KHL, he has 5 goals in 12 games in the KHL playoffs. He has the size and talent to be considered in the top 5 but likely will go lower due to playing in the KHL.”
  • Video 1: 2012-13 Season Highlights: From HockeySemin atVimeo.com
  • Video 2: 2013 WJC U20 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.

6. Lindholm, Elias

  • Hashtag: FoppaLite
  • Team:#28, Brynas, Elitserien
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height:6’0
  • Weight:192 lb.
  • Born:Boden, Sweden, 2-Dec-94
  • Other rankings:
    • 5 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 6 – Chris Ralph
    • 6 – Future Considerations
    • 6 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 7 – NHL
    • 7 – Hockey Prospect
    • 7 – ISS
    • 9 – Craig Button
    • Twitter A/C:@lindholmelias
  • Profile 1: Ben Kerr atLastWordOnSports.com
  • Profile 2: JohnFischer at InLouWeTrust.com
  • Quote 1: Anthony Murphy atTheFarmClub.net, “Lindholm is a great skater, being able to start and stop on a dime, and he likes to set up camp in the front of the net in the offensive zone.  He is also great at the face-off circle, winning 58% of his draws, again, against grown men.Lindholm has the potential to make an impact on both sides of the ice, something highly valued come draft day.  He has top-3 talent in just about any other draft, but in this draft he settles in probably around pick five.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “A tremendous player with the skills, demeanor, leadership, to be an all around top player. Although the Swedish media have thrown around things like “Memories of Peter Forsberg”, that is probably way too high in terms of expectations. However, the analogy is still correct in that Elias Lindholm will have a career in the NHL as a top 6 forward and will play an all-around game.”
  • Video 1:2013 WJC U20 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 2: 2012-13 Elitserien Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by EliasLindholm.

7. Monahan, Sean

  • Hashtag: MrEverything
  • Team:#20, Ottawa, OHL
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’2
  • Weight: 193 lb.
  • Born: Brampton, ON, 12-Oct-94
  • Other rankings:
    • 6 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 6 – Craig Button
    • 6 – Hockey Prospect
    • 7 – Chris Ralph
    • 7 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 8 – NHL
    • 8 – Future Considerations
    • 9 – ISS
    • Twitter A/C:@Monahan20
  • Profile 1:Carl Maloney at THW
  • Profile 2: Mike G Morreale at NHL.com
  • Quote 1: Ottawa 67’s General Manager and Head Coach, Chris Byrne @ insider.espn.go.com, “He has size, skill, vision, but I think the better part is his character — how hard he works and how much he wants to win and how he prepares himself for games. I think he presents a pretty good package, he has a history of winning, he has a history of playing well in big games and I think those are the things that people like the most about Sean.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Sean faced adversity this year playing for a very poor Ottawa 67 team. However, adversity sometimes helps a player deal with the ups and downs in the life of a professional hockey player. Sean is that big-bodied do-all center who can score that the successful teams generally have. Don’t be surprised if Sean is one of the few 2013 picks who sticks in the NHL next season. Although it seems like a long time ago now, Sean was Team Canada’s best player in the Canada-Russia Challenge series last fall.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: Craig Button on Sean Monahan: Uploaded to YouTube by TheBadQuality.
  • Video 2: NHL experts on Sean Monahan: Uploaded to YouTube by 7JohnMoore.
  • Video 3: Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by DumbassShello.

8. Ristolainen, Rasmus

  • Hashtag: FinnishForce
  • Team:#55, TPS, SM-liiga
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height:6’3
  • Weight: 205 lb.
  • Born: Turku, Finland, 27-Oct-94
  • Other rankings:
    • 7 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 8 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 9 – Hockey Prospect
    • 10 – NHL
    • 11 – ISS
    • 12 – Future Considerations
    • 15 – Chris Ralph
    • 25 – Craig Button
    • Twitter A/C:None found
    • Profile 1:Shawn Reznik at THW
    • Profile 2:Mike Stromberg atInLouWeTrust.com
    • Quote 1: Tom Zulewski @ FlyersFaithful.com, “At 6’3 210 pounds, scouts are salivating over Ristolainen who plays for TPS Turku in the highly competitive Finnish elite league. He’s a calm player with a good two-way ability and he plays beyond his years given his late ’94 birthdate. He moves the puck well and he’s quite mobile given his size. Ristolainen’s strength comes in his defensive game. He utilizes his strength, and positioning, and his long reach to his advantage. He’s not the biggest hitter in the draft, but he plays the body and likes to get physical in front of the net, which is not traditionally the Finnish style of playing hockey.”
    • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “A Finnish guy who models his game after Chris Pronger. He also the mobility you expect from a top European prospect, add the NHL size at 6’3, add the offensive skills of someone you want on your power-pay, add the big hits and suddenly you have a very high-end prospect.”
    • Video 1: The NHL Combine: Uploaded to YouTube by ThePellinenNHL
    • Video 2: Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by ChannelOfTheSport.

9. Zadorov, Nikita

  • Hashtag: MrAwesome
  • Team: #65, London, OHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’5
  • Weight: 230 lb.
  • Born: Moscow, Russia, 16-Apr-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 8 – ISS
    • 8 – Hockey Prospect
    • 9 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 11 – Craig Button
    • 11 – Future Considerations
    • 16 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 20 – Chris Ralph
    • 31 – NHL
    • Twitter A/C:@zadorov61
  • Profile 1: Shawn Reznik at THW
  • Profile 2: Adam Kimelman at NHL.com
  • Quote 1: London Knights General Manager, Mark Hunter at NHL.com, “He’s come a long way as far as knowing what we want. It’s a little bit different hockey here because of the smaller ice surface. It took a little bit of an adjustment period from that standpoint. He understands. He’s got a good brain for the game. He’s a big guy that can skate and drive the net and do things offensively that a lot of other players are not capable of doing. He’s an intelligent kid. He’s grown so much — he’s so big. We knew he was going to figure it out. He’s not scared. He hits people, he finishes his checks. There’s so much to like about him it’s ridiculous.”
  • Quote 2: Brock Otten at OHLProspects.Blogspot.ca, “When you’re 6’5, 230lbs, you can hit like a truck, and you have no issues with mobility, you’re going to get consideration inside the lottery. That’s the case for Zadorov. The size he possesses is obviously awesome, but when you combine it with a slick, effortless, skating stride it becomes even better. He’s incredibly difficult to beat off the rush because he can skate with you, but also has that long stick and aggressive nature which makes him hard to get around.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: Interview with Gene Principe fromSportsnet.ca
  • Video 2: Profile from Adam Kimelman at NHL.com

10. Nurse, Darnell

Darnell Nurse - 2013 NHL draft eligible prospect
Darnell Nurse climbing the 2013 NHL draft rankings (Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

  • Hashtag:DrDefense
  • Team:#25, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’5
  • Weight: 184 lb.
  • Born: Hamilton, ON, 4-Feb-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 6 – NHL
    • 6 – ISS
    • 7 – Future Considerations
    • 8 – Craig Button
    • 11 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 12 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 16 – Hockey Prospect
    • 19 – Chris Ralph
    • Twitter A/C: @drtwofive
  • Profile 1:Shawn Reznik at THW
  • Profile 2: Todd Cordell at TheHockeyGuys.net
  • Quote 1: Ryan Kennedy at TheHockeyNews.com, “The size and snarl was always there, but what has truly thrust Nurse up the draft charts is the way his offensive game took off this season. The big blueliner popped in 12 goals and 41 points a year after notching just one and 10 as a rookie.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Size, offensive potential, the next Chris Pronger – that is what teams are hoping to get from Darnell Nurse. There have been big improvements in Darnell’s game this year and there is the potential for even more in the future.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1:Profile from Mike G Morreale at NHL.com
  • Video 2: 2012-13 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.

11. Domi, Max

  • Hashtag: McThrill
  • Team:#16, London, OHL
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:5’10
  • Weight: 194 lb.
  • Born:Toronto, ON, 2-Mar-95
  • Other rankings:Carl Maloney at THW
    • 9 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 10 – Craig Button
    • 10 – Future Considerations
    • 10 – Hockey Prospect
    • 13 – Chris Ralph
    • 18 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 25 – ISS
    • 27 – NHL
    • Twitter A/C:@max_domi
  • Profile 1: Carl Maloney at THW
  • Profile 2: Darren Zary at TheStarPhoenix.com
  • Quote 1: Here is what I wrote about Max when the NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings came out at @ THW, “Yes, I watched Friday night’s game (26-Apr-13) when London eliminated Plymouth in overtime. And yes, I watched one of the best performances of the season when Max Domi put up five points including the overtime winner. While Nathan MacKinnon may have the best passing gear, Max Domi has the first gear category all to himself. His explosiveness and determination is just too impressive not to warrant going very high in the draft, 9 to 20 range.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “He plays the game hard and driven like his Dad, former Maple Leafs’ enforcer, Tie Domi. However, he possesses the offensive skills that his Dad could only dream about. Max is short but he is also solid and possesses a low center of gravity so size is not an issue. A team drafting Max Domi is hoping that he brings Claude Giroux like energy, skills and grit in a top six forward.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1:Profile from NHL.com
  • Video 2:Profile from Matt Larkin at TheHockeyNews.com
  • Video 3: Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by DumbassShello.
  • Video 4: Amazing between-the legs-pass: Uploaded to YouTube by MrHockey443.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HntUi87gjKw

12. Horvat, Bo

  • Hashtag:Mr. Shutdown
  • Team: #53, London, OHL
  • Position: Centre/Left Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’0
  • Weight:203 lb.
  • Born: Rodney, ON, 5-Apr-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 10 – ISS
    • 11 – Hockey Prospect
    • 14 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 19 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 19 – Craig Button
    • 21 – NHL
    • 21 – Chris Ralph
    • 23 – Future Considerations
    • Twitter A/C:@BoHorvat
    • https://twitter.com/max_domi/status/340889911483842560
    • Profile 1: Ian C McLaren atTHW
    • Profile 2:T odd Cordell at TheHockeyGuys.net
    • Quote 1: Max Domi @ Yahoo! Sports Canada, “He’s got the whole package.  He can play the whole 200-foot game, he’s a special guy to be around on and off the ice. All the boys love him. He’s out there taking big faceoffs, which you don’t see every day from a 17-year-old. He’s out there in tough situations playing against the other team’s top line. It’s special for a young kid to be able to do that.”
    • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Like Ryan Hartman below, every team needs and wants a Bo Horvat. The player who stops the opposition’s top scorer, excels on the penalty kill and energizes the power play – a Tomas Plekanec like player, not the biggest guy out there but gets all the big jobs done.”
    • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
    • Video 1: 2012-13 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
    • Video 2: Profile fromSportsnet.ca
    • Video 3: NHL Combine: From Avalanche.NHL.com

13. Wennberg, Alexander

  • Hashtag: MrStealth
  • Team: #10, Djurgården, Allsvenskan
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’1
  • Weight: 183 lb.
  • Born: Nacka, Sweden, 22-Sep-94
  • Other rankings:
    • 11 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 11 – NHL
    • 12 – Craig Button
    • 12 – Hockey Prospect
    • 13 – Future Considerations
    • 15 – ISS
    • 15 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 23 – Chris Ralph
    • Twitter A/C:@winiss10
    • Profile 1:Ben Kerr at LastWordonSports.com
    • Profile 2: Craig Button at TSN
    • Quote 1: Tom Zulewski @ FlyersFaithful.com, “At 6-foot-1, 183 pounds he can handle himself in traffic as well. He gets to the tight areas and is able to produce some garbage goals. Wennberg is not a “one-trick” pony. He’s very smart with and without the puck. He has good puck skills, can make plays, and can shoot the puck. For a Euro he has a bit a physical edge to his game.”
    • Quote 2: Tony Ambrogio at TheHockeyGuys.net, “Another Swedish player who could be a first round pick is center Alexander Wennberg who says his “hockey sense” is his biggest strength. He takes pride in playing a two-way game, and with Djurgarden this season in the Swedish Elite League scored 14 goals in 46 games. Wennberg is ranked fifth among international skaters according to NHL central scouting. He has signed a two-year deal with Djurgarden. Wennberg likes to pattern his game after Washington Capitals forward NicklasBackstrom.”
    • Video 1: 2013 WJC U20 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
    • Video 2: The Old “Hockey Pucks in the Pants Routine” from Brandon Stroud at WithLeatherUproxx.com.
    • Video 3:NHL Combine from Oilers.NHL.com

14. Gauthier, Frédérik

  • Hashtag: MrNotJustAnybody
  • Team: #23, Rimouski, QMJHL
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’5
  • Weight: 215 lb.
  • Born:Laval, QC, 26-Apr-13
  • Other rankings:
    • 13 – NHL
    • 13 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 16 – Future Considerations
    • 18 – ISS
    • 21 – Craig Button
    • 25 – Chris Ralph
    • 29 – Hockey Prospect
    • 31 – Hockey Prospectus
    • Twitter A/C:None found
    • https://twitter.com/McKeensDraftGs/status/324292135841062912
    • Profile 1: From Mike G Morreale at NHL.com
    • Quote 1: Corey Pronman at HockeyProspectus.com, “Gauthier experienced an up-and-down campaign. He showed significant flashes, but also lapsed offensively for long stretches. He measures at 6’5″, 214 pounds, has some offensive talent, and shows advanced play for his age. He is an above-average skater, well above-average for a player his size, as he has a real easiness to his stride. He exerts little effort in his pushoffs, and he picks up speed very well. He is very agile, given his size. He had good offensive numbers this season, despite lining up against the opposition’s best players and taking a lot of defensive zone draws. He has a good amount of offensive hockey sense, but sometimes he is too conservative and would be better served by letting his creativity show.”
    • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Frederik has been struggling since his return from a recent injury. However, I do not think that will have a major impact on his rankings as even minor injuries can result in significant performance issues. The real issue with FrédérikGauthier is: Is he Radek Bonk, a large 3rd line defense first center, or is he Jordan Staal, a large 2nd line center who is good defensively but brings a significant offensive contribution. Those teams that are leaning to the Jordan Staal comparison will likely have him in the 8 to 13 range.”
    • Video 1: Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by DumbassShello.
    • Video 2: Profile fromNHL.com
    • Video 3: Craig Button Analysis: Uploaded to YouTube by Craig Button.

15. Shinkaruk, Hunter

  • Hashtag: MrFastAndFurious
  • Team: #9, Medicine Hat, WHL
  • Position: Left Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:5’11
  • Weight:175 lb.
  • Born:Calgary, AB, 13-Oct-94
  • Other rankings:
    • 5 – Chris Ralph
    • 8 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 9 – NHL
    • 9 – Future Considerations
    • 10 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 13 – ISS
    • 14 – Craig Button
    • 24 – Hockey Prospect
    • Twitter A/C:@H_S_9
  • Profile 1:Andrew Eide at THW
  • Profile 2: John Fischer at InLouWeTrust.com
  • Quote 1: Christopher Ralph @ THW, “Shinkaruk is a cerebral, relentless goal-scorer with top notch hockey sense. He possesses outstanding spatial awareness with an uncanny ability to find open space on the ice, setting himself up to be in the right places at all the right times. He is an explosive, dynamic offensive forward with game-breaking ability.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Skating, shooting, scoring, leadership (captain of his team), Hunter has got just about everything except size. The team drafting Hunter is a team wanting to obtain a “Mike Cammalleri” type clutch scorer.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by DumbassShello.
  • Video 2: Profile fromWHL.ca
  • Video 3: Craig Button Analysis: Uploaded to YouTube by TheBadQuality.

16. Morrissey, Josh

  • Hashtag: TheCog
  • Team:#10, Prince Albert, WHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’0
  • Weight:185 lb.
  • Born:Calgary, AB, 28-Mar-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 9 – Chris Ralph
    • 15 – Craig Button
    • 15 – Future Considerations
    • 17 -Hockey Prospect
    • 20 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 20 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 21 – ISS
    • 36 – NHL
    • Twitter A/C:@Morrissey_10
  • Profile 1:Mike Morreale atNHL.com
  • Profile 2: Kristen Odland atCalgaryHerald.com
  • Quote 1: Director of NHL Central Scouting, Dan Marr @ NHL.com, “He’s a dynamic skater and reaches top speed quickly with good offensive hockey sense.  He’s willing to battle and doesn’t get intimidated, but still needs to physically mature in order to handle one-on-one situations. He gives a good two-way effort, logs a lot of ice time and has a lot of responsibilities.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Josh is a modest-sized defenseman with outstanding skating and puck carrying ability. Although Josh still has a ways to go to really prove himself, the team drafting him will be thinking of Duncan Keith and how far he went and hoping to get at least some of that wonderful mobility on their back end.”
  • Audio: FromThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1:Profile from NHL.com
  • Video 2: Uploaded to YouTube by BackRowCornerSeat.
  • Video 3: 2012-13 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 4: Craig Button Analysis: Uploaded to YouTube by TheBadQuality.

17. Morin, Samuel

  • Hashtag: TheCharaDoppelganger
  • Team:Rimouski, QMJHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’6
  • Weight: 202 lb.
  • Born:St. Henri, QC, 12-Jul-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 13 – Craig Button
    • 18 – Hockey Prospect
    • 30 – ISS
    • 32 – NHL
    • 51 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 56 – Chris Ralph
    • 60 – Hockey Prospectus
    • Twitter A/C:@samhockey0000
    • Profile 1: Shawn Reznik atTHW
    • Profile 2: Brenda Branswell atCanada.com
    • Quote 1: Craig Button at Flames.NHL.com, “I don’t know where you find 6-foot-7 defencemen that can skate, that are tough physically, that are rugged, that can make a play with the puck. I don’t know where you find them. … I saw ZdenoChara play at that age. Zdeno was raw and I don’t think Zdeno was as polished at that age as this kid. We know what Zdeno has become. He’s one of the smartest players in the National Hockey League and we know the physical attributes. I think that I do believe that Samuel can develop that part of his game.”
    • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “This is another guy that I would want on my team. Yes, he is still very raw but how often do you a get 6’7 guy who can skate with a nasty steak. Also, he may never be Bobby Orr but he has some offensive upside. This guy could go much higher because physical specimens like Samuel are very rare and very much in demand.”
    • Video 1: 2013 U18 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
    • Video 2: Fight with Kurt Etchegary resulting in a knockout: Uploaded to YouTube by HockeyFightsPlus.

18. Pulock, Ryan

  • Hashtag: TheCaptain
  • Team: #2, Brandon,WHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height:6’1
  • Weight: 211 lb.
  • Born: Dauphin, MB, 6-Oct-94
  • Other rankings:
    • 8 – Chris Ralph
    • 12 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 14 – Future Considerations
    • 14 – ISS
    • 15 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 18 – NHL
    • 30 – Craig Button
    • 30 – Hockey Prospect
    • Twitter A/C:@rpulock2
  • Profile 1: Christopher Ralph at THW
  • Profile 2: Mike Stromberg at InLouWeTrust.com
  • Quote 1: Chris Triants at IslanderOptimism.com, “Ryan Pulock’s biggest asset is his NHL-ready shot. When I say NHL-ready, I mean that his shot is harder than that of most NHL players. Earlier this season, Pulock’s slap-shot was measured at 101 MPH during a skills competition. His rocket of a shot and excellent one-timer makes him one of the most dangerous players from the blue-line. When teams try to take away his slapper, Pulock can mix it up with a very quick-released wrister.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “OK, OK, it’s the big shot, stupid! The team drafting Ryan is looking for the shooter on their power play a la Jason Garrison or Dustin Byfuglien. Ryan still needs to improve his defense but that big shot is definitely a “hot ticket”.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: The best of Ryan Pulock: Uploaded toYouTube by Sisch713.
  • Video 2: Craig Button Analysis: Uploaded to YouTube by TheBadQuality.

19. Lazar, Curtis

  • Hashtag: MrDetail
  • Team:#27, Edmonton, WH
  • Position: Centre/Right Wing
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6’0
  • Weight: 198 lb.
  • Born: Vernon, BC, 2-Feb-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 12 – ISS
    • 14 – Chris Ralph
    • 17 – Future Considerations
    • 21 – Hockey Prospect
    • 25 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 28 – NHL
    • 29 – Hockey Prospectus
    • Twitter A/C:@CurtisLazar95
  • Profile 1: David OConnor at THW
  • Profile 2: Ryan Pike at THW
  • Profile 3: Huw Wales at DefendingBigD
  • Quote 1: Ben Kerr @ LastWordOnSports.com, “Lazar is a pure goal scorer. He has an outstanding wrist shot and  pro-level release which he uses to beat goalies.  He also has an excellent slap shot.  Add to this arsenal, the soft hands to finish plays in close and the quick hand eye co-ordination to make delections and pounce on rebounds and you can see why he had so many goals this season.  Lazar also plays a rugged game and is willing to hit on the forecheck or battle along the boards, or in the cycle game.  He’s not afraid to play in the dirty areas of the ice, be it in the corners or in front of the net.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Well, they say he is not offensive enough but he did lead his team in goals with 38 – not too shabby. Curtis is the right-handed equivalent to Bo Horvat in the WHL – the coach’s go to guy who does everything right.”
  • Audio: Interview with Dustin Scafe at DustinScafe.blogspot.ca.
  • Video 1: NHL Top Prospect Watch:From WHL.ca
  • Video 2: Profile fromNHL.com
  • Video 3: 2012-13 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 4: Craig Button Analysis: Uploaded to YouTube byTheBadQuality.

20. Mantha, Anthony

  • Hashtag: TheInvisibleMan
  • Team: #8,Val d’Or, QMJHL
  • Position: Right Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’3
  • Weight:200 lb.
  • Born:Longueuil, QC, 16-Sep-94
  • Other rankings:
    • 11 – Chris Ralph
    • 16 – NHL
    • 16 – Craig Button
    • 17 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 18 – Future Considerations
    • 19 – Hockey Prospect
    • 22 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 23 – ISS
    • Twitter A/C:None found
  • Profile 1:Shawn Reznik atTHW
  • Profile 2: ArponBasu atNHL.com
  • Quote 1: Karen Mielands at InLowWeTrust.com, “Mantha has a gritty style to his game, and he isn’t afraid to head to the dirty areas around the net. With that style, he led the QMJHL in goals and was tenth overall in points. He doesn’t just depend on his size, though. Mantha has an impressive wrist shot and quick release. He is more of a goal scorer than a playmaker, and seems to be headed towards the power forward role. It was difficult to see where his game was going just one year ago.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Size, skills, results – that’s Anthony Mantha. The team drafting Anthony is looking to fill that top 6 power forward position – a position unfilled on most clubs. I have Anthony rated a little lower than most as I have concerns with his drive and consistency.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: Goal compilation: Uploaded to YouTubeby TVHockeyProspect.
  • Video 2: Interview with John Moore: Uploaded to YouTube by 7JohnMoore.
  • Video 3: Craig Button Analysis: Uploaded to YouTube by Craig Button.

21. Erne, Adam

  • Hashtag: MrHeartbeat
  • Team:#73, Quebec, QMJHL
  • Position: Right Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’1
  • Weight: 198 lb.
  • Born: North Brandford, 20-Apr-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 12 – Chris Ralph
    • 16 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 18 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 20 – Craig Button
    • 22 – Hockey Prospect
    • 28 – Future Considerations
    • 35 – NHL
    • Twitter A/C:@Adamerne73
  • Profile 1:Shawn Reznik atTHW
  • Quote 1: Corey Pronman at HockeyProspectus.com, “Erne features the ideal power forward style that NHL teams love, as his high-end north/south game is coupled with good skill. His best attribute is his skating; he frequently bursts through the neutral zone, drawing penalties, creating chances, and downright embarrassing defensemen with his speed and acceleration. His willingness to drive to the net combined with his strength are deadly when combined with his speed. One scout described him as a “horse” in terms of his raw physical attributes.”
  • Quote 2: Bill Placzek at Draftsite.com, “Strong, balanced skater who shows outside speed and an excellent shot. Plays a mix of a power-forward and sniper. Plays with power on the wall and wins puck battles there. The lightning release of his shot and his ability to find space make him much to contend with. Plays fearlessly and hungry, creates space, is a playmaker, and shoots extremely well. Reads, sets, and attacks well with a dominating presence. Throws big checks. Powerful shot.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: Profile: From NHL.com
  • Video 2: Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by Fred O’donnell.
  • Video 3: Craig Button Analysis: Uploaded to YouTube by TheBadQuality.

22. Burakowsky, André

  • Hashtag: DrRelease
  • Team:#95, Malmo, Allsvenskan
  • Position: Left Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’1
  • Weight:176 lb.
  • Born:Klagenfurt, Austria, 9-Feb-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 13 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 14 – NHL
    • 14 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 16 – ISS
    • 18 – Chris Ralph
    • 25 – Future Considerations
    • 58 – Craig Button
    • Twitter A/C:None found
  • Profile: Ben Kerr at LastWordOnSports.com
  • Quote 1: Chris Peters at UnitedStatesofHockey.com, “With four goals and an assist, Burakowsky has been terrific for Sweden. His draft stock has been on the decline of late, but he’s one of the top Swedes this year. If he keeps this up, perhaps his name will start moving up the charts.”
  • Quote 2: Bill Placzek at Draftsite.com, “Tall, slender Swedish RW/LW with good hands and presence in the crease area. May be top end offensive skill. Has a burst to beat defenders outside, has ability to get open in the attack, and quickly releases his shot. Very agile and can play to the speed of his feet. Soft hands and shot, but sometimes hogs the puck because of his faith in his own ability to score and doesn’t distribute when he probably should. Excellent one-timer and instinctive offensive abilities. Although not overly physical, plays in the dirty areas and withstands the pounding. Protects the puck well, and willing to get dirty to keep it.”
  • Video 1: Interview with Chapin Landvogt of HockeysFuture.com after the U18’s.
  • Video 2: 2012 Ivan Hlinka goal: Uploaded toYouTube by DrPabloRamirez.

23. Zykov, Valentin

  • Hashtag: TheRussianHighNote
  • Team:Baie-Comeau, QMJHL
  • Position: Right Wing
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height:6’1
  • Weight: 215 lb.
  • Born: St. Petersburg, Russia, 15-May-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 12 – NHL
    • 13 – Hockey Prospect
    • 17 – Chris Ralph
    • 19 – Future Considerations
    • 19 – ISS
    • 19 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 27 – BobMacKenzie
    • 37 – Craig Button
    • Twitter A/C: None found
  • Profile 1: THW
  • Profile 2: Ben Kerr at LastWordOnSports.com
  • Quote 1: Eric Veilleux, Baie-Comeau Head Coach, at Marketwire.com, “Valentin is one of the most complete players in the league. He is capable of remarkable games and adapts easily to different styles. He has great motivation, unusual perseverance and above all an extraordinary talent. His determination and self-discipline led him where he is today.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “One of the least talked about potential 1st rounders, Valentin has gone from a “C” skater in the NHL’s preliminary ratings to 12 in the mid-term rankings. Off the ice, he has learned English and a few words in French. On the ice, the other teams have learned that he is not a player to be trifled with. They have learned that Valentin is not your typical Russian; he loves to create havoc around the net – shooting, passing, going to the net, cycling around the net, hounding the player with the puck. In short, he is a player that other teams have quickly learned to hate. I look at him as a cross between Jannik Hansen and Nick Foligno, a player with skills who can bring a little intensity to the game. He was also just named “Offensive Rookie of the Year” in the Q.”
  • Video 1: Interview with John Moore atSportsAndMoore.com[moved at source]
  • Video 2: Craig Button Analysis: Uploaded to YouTube from TheBadQuality.
  • Video3:Profile and highlights from RDS.ca– InFrench except for interview portion with Valentin.
  • Video 4: Overtime game-winning goal fromTVASports.ca

24. Santini, Steve

  • Hashtag: MrImpact
  • Team:#16, USA NDTP U18
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height:6’1
  • Weight:208 lb.
  • Born:Mahopac, NY, 7-Mar-95
  • Commit:BostonCollege
  • Other rankings:
    • 17 – ISS
    • 28 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 31 – Craig Button
    • 41 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 46 – Chris Ralph
    • 63 – NHL
    • Twitter A/C: None found
  • Profile 1: Becky Olsen atUSANDTP.com
  • Profile 2: Redline Reportfrom October 2012.
  • Quote 1: Steve Santiniat NYHockeyJournal.com, “I’m a big, physical defenseman who can move the puck pretty well. I’m not flashy, but I’ve always had an edge to my game. As a person, I think that I bring good character as someone who supports his teammates and works hard in every situation.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “If you want a horse on your back end, Steve Santini is your man. Ploughs opposition skaters out from in front of the net; can be intimidating along the boards. Skates well and has a heavy shot but is not offensively gifted.”
  • Audio: FromThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: 2013 NHL Combine: From Oilers.NHL.com
  • Video 2: Gold Medal Game at WJC 18: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 3: Steven Santini chases his dream: Uploaded to YouTube by AnnArborNews.

25. Rychel, Kerby

  • Hashtag:TheVeryGoodSon
  • Team:16, Windsor, OHL
  • Position: Left Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’1
  • Weight: 200 lb.
  • Born: Los Angeles, CA, 7-Oct-94
  • Other rankings:
    • 20 – ISS
    • 23 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 24 – NHL
    • 26 – Future Considerations
    • 27 – Craig Button
    • 28 – Hockey Prospect
    • 33 – Chris Ralph
    • 44 – Hockey Prospectus
    • Twitter A/C: @Krychs
  • Profile 1: Carl Maloney at THW
  • Profile 2: Todd Cordell at TheHockeyGuys.net
  • Quote 1: From TheScoutingReport.org, “Rychel is a prototypical power forward who’s power game makes up for any lack of offensive flair. A very polished prospect, Rychel is strong on his skates and is one of the most competitive and gritty players you’ll find around the Canadian Hockey League. While Rychel possesses above average skills, it’s his determination and hockey sense around the net that allow him to score the majority of his goals. As he moves to the NHL level, it’s likely that you’ll see him develop an agitator side to his game as he looks like he’ll be a capable winger or centre who has the versatility to be an effective contributor on a scoring line while bringing a physical two-way presence.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Kerby exploded in the second half with the return of his center from last year from the KHL, Alexander Khokhlachev. Kerby is simply a goal scorer who excels when there is someone to get the puck to him in a scoring position. By the way, his Dad, Windsor GM and former NHLer Warren Rychel, is his boss.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: KerbyRychel greatest plays: Uploaded toYouTube by Larry Longson.
  • Video 2: KerbyRychel greatest hits: Uploaded toYouTube by Larry Longson.

26. Hartman, Ryan

  • Hashtag:SenorPest
  • Team: #21, Plymouth, OHL, RW, R, 5’11, 182 lb.
  • Born: West Dundee, IL, 20-Sep-94
  • Other rankings:
    • 20 – Hockey Prospect
    • 22 – NHL
    • 22 – Future Considerations
    • 26 – Craig Button
    • 28 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 38 – Chris Ralph
    • 41 – ISS
    • 42 – Hockey Prospectus
    • Twitter A/C:RHartzy18

Profile 1: Shawn Reznik atTHW

Profile 2: Patrick King atSportsnet.ca

  • Quote 1: Chris Edwards of NHL’s Central Scouting @ NHL.com, “He’s not the biggest guy, but he shows no fear of getting involved and battles for the puck. He can hit hard and is aggressive on the forecheck. He sees the ice well, gets the puck through traffic with creative passes and offers a very good shot that he gets off quickly.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “The Plymouth Whalers are trending upward and Ryan is trending along with them. Every team needs and wants a Ryan Hartman, a sparkplug who can hit, agitate and put up a few points. Breakout performances at the WJC U20 and the Top Prospects game have just been amplified by his end of season performances. The team drafting this guy is looking for Steve Ott like accomplishments from this guy.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: Profile fromNHL.com
  • Video 2: Highlights:

27. Bowey, Madison

  • Hashtag:TheNextOne
  • Team:#4, Kelowna, WHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6’1
  • Weight: 195 lb.
  • Born: Winnipeg, MB, 22-Apr-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 15 – Hockey Prospect
    • 22 – ISS
    • 23 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 24 – Craig Button
    • 34 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 34 – Chris Ralph
    • 44 – NHL
    • Twitter A/C:@m_bows4
  • Profile: Ryan Pike at THW
  • Quote 1:Bill Meltzer at HockeyBuzz.com, “One of the best skaters in the draft, some projections have Bowey as a first-round pick and most have him off the board within the top 45 picks. I’ve only seen one list (Chris Peters’ rankings on CBSsports.com) that omits him from the top 50. Bowey is best known as a puck mover and passer, but has the tools to become an all-situations defenseman.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “The leading D in the draft from the Kelowna Rocket D hockey factory (the others this year are Mitchell Wheaton and Jesse Lees), Madison is an offensive minded, mobile defenseman that likes to join the rush. Can be very effective when he keeps it simple.”
  • Audio: Interview with Ryan Watters at RyanWatters.ca
  • Video 1: 2013 U18 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 2: Profile: Uploaded to YouTube by ShawTVOkanagan.

28. Mueller, Mirco

  • Hashtag: SwissArmyKnife
  • Team:#25, Everett, WHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’3
  • Weight: 190 lb.
  • Born: Winterhur, Switzerland, 21-Mar-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 15 – NHL
    • 21 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 26 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 40 – Craig Button
    • 51 – Chris Ralph
    • Twitter A/C:@25mueller
  • Profile 1: Andre Eide atTHW
  • Profile 2: Ben Kerr at LastWordOnSports.com
  • Quote 1:Russ Bitely at Examiner.com, “Mueller is a nice combination of size and skill on the blue line. His agent also represents other NHL prospects, Sven Bärtschi and Nino Niederreiter so it is no surprise he imported his game to “The Dub” to give scouts more viewings than just the WJC. Mueller is not in the class of Jones or Ristolainen though he chipped in 2 assists in six games played and led his Swiss team with a +7 rating during the tournament.”
  • Quote 2: My Draft War Room comments from March at THW, “Mirco showed the world what he is made of with a breakout performance at the U20’s where he led Team Switzerland to a sixth place finish and finished the tournament with a plus 7 ‘ fifth overall. Mirco is a calm steady defenseman with the NHL size, reach and overall mobility that NHL teams pay a premium for these days. Did not have a great February and sometimes tries to do too much. However, a few more pounds on his lean frame plus a little more experience and most of these deficiencies likely will go away.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: Preview of U20 discussion fromTheHockeyNews.com
  • Video 2: Fight: Uploaded to YouTube by HockeyFightsPlus.

29. Dauphin, Laurent

  • Hashtag: MrBigGameHunter
  • Team: Chicoutimi, QMJHL
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’0
  • Weight: 183 lb.
  • Born: Repentigny, QC, 27-Mar-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 22 – Craig Button
    • 30 – Chris Ralph
    • 34 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 37 – NHL
    • 45 – Bob MacKenzie
    • Twitter A/C: @flippers27

Profile 1: Carl Maloney atTHW

  • Profile 2: Ben Kerr at LastWordOnSports.com
  • Quote 1: Craig Button atNHL.com, “Laurent is a quiet competitor. Don’t be fooled by him. There’s not this over the top, outwardly bubbly competitor, but still waters run deep. And this guy is a big-time competitor. He doesn’t get pushed away from the game, he doesn’t get pushed away from the hard areas, he makes plays when it matters, he makes plays against difficult opponents, he makes plays under challenging circumstances. He’s smart. You talk about hockey sense … he’s got exceptional hockey sense. I think he’s got exceptional competiveness. The important areas on the ice, the important areas in the game, the critical points, he’s there. He’s always there. He’s not going to wow you with these end-to-end rushes, but you talk about incredibly functional and a big-time competitor.”
  • Quote 2: Corey Pronman at HockeyProspectus.com, “Dauphin had a good rookie season for Chicoutimi, displaying a high amount of upside. He is a skilled player with the puck, with the kind of soft touch and control that a top forward prospect needs. He has shiftiness in his game, as he is able to make quick movements with his feet and hands. He couples strong acceleration with a good top gear. He is quality passer who makes nice saucer distributions, and he can make plays with limited time and space. Dauphin’s main area of improvement will have to come from his strength level.”
  • Video 1: 2013U18 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 2: Top Prospects Game Highlights: From NHL.com.

30. De La Rose, Jacob

  • Hashtag: MrEverything
  • Team:#9, Leksand,Elitserien
  • Position: Centre/Left Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height:6’2
  • Weight:183 lb.
  • Born:Arvika, Sweden, 20-May-95
  • Other rankings:
    • 26 – NHL
    • 26 – Bob MacKenzie
    • 27 – Hockey Prospectus
    • 43 – Chris Ralph
    • 57 – Craig Button
    • Twitter A/C:@Jacobdelarose
  • Profile 1: Ben Kerr at LastWordonSports
  • Profile 2: Mike Stromberg atInLouWeTrust.com
  • Quote 1: Craig Button at TSN.ca, “Jacob is a powerful player who asserts with his size and physical ability but also with his skill. He is a strong skater with speed and balance and when he gains an advantage on the opponent, he’s not giving it up. He plays in all situations and he has excellent feel for how to excel in the various tasks of those situations. Can play any forward position and gives a coach a lot of flexibility to allow him to lend support to different players and combinations. He gets offensive opportunities but may not be a natural scorer but is a determined who will create chances with his effort and approach to playing. Defensively, he can really disrupt the patterns of the opponent and he is dangerous in the counter attack. A player that winning teams have. Comparable Style: Tomas Sandstrom/Jan Erixon”
  • Quote 2: Tom Zulewski at FlyersFaithful.com, “De la Rose is a strong skater with speed and balance. He can play in all situations and he has excellent vision with the puck. He gets offensive opportunities but a natural scorer. Defensively, he’s a wizard and he is dangerous on the counterattack.”
  • Video 1: 2013 WJC U20 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 2: 2013 WJC U20 Interview: From HockeysFuture.com
  • Round 1 (Prospects ranked 1-30)
  • Round 2 (Prospects ranked 31-60)
  • Round 3 (Prospects ranked 61-90)
  • Round 4 (Prospects ranked 91-120)
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Christopher Ralph
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Christopher Ralph
11 years ago

FYI: This is not to be confused with The Next Ones rankings, which I curate – these will be released in the next few days.
E-Mac’s War Room Edition is a unique spin on the rankings especially with a nickname/Twitter hashtag for each and every prospect!
Comments encouraged and welcomed. Thanks for dropping by.

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