Ranking the Top 50 American-Affiliated Prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft

Photo courtesy of Jeff Wheeler, Tom Schoolmeester, and David La Vaque – Star Tribune

The 2006-age group has made one thing clear – collegiate hockey is the priority right now. 47 of the 50 players ranked here have committed to, or are currently with, a Division-1 program, regardless of where the player is from. That’s a big momentum shift, and adds even more emphasis to understanding talent from across the world, not just the United States. Teams are adding Canadian scouts, European scouts, video scouts – all in an effort to lean into a new push towards college hockey. We’ll model that spirit today, ranking the Top 50 American-affiliated prospects in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft. Before we dive in, though, let’s lay out some ground rules:

1. American-affiliated is a loose term, but I hope to include all players who are either A.) Americans or, B.) played in American leagues at some point this season. Even then, I’ll push the borders just a bit to include a few players I feel deserve more hype.
2. These rankings are meant to highlight how I think players will fall based on their potential impact in the NHL, rather than where they are currently or how they may impact the NCAA. At the end of the day, these are still NHL Draft rankings, and I would spend a pick on each of these players!
3. Each player will have a short analysis attached to them. If you have any questions or want more details, I encourage you to reach out on Twitter/X (@NHLFoley)!
4. Jump straight to a table of the ranking by clicking here!

Alright, with the context out of the way, let’s kick it off with an obvious #1…

1.) Macklin Celebrini, C, HE (NCAA), Boston Uni., June 13, 2006, 6’0″, 190 lbs, Canadian

There’s not much need for debate anymore. If anyone still had any reservations about Macklin Celebrini, those simply have to have been put to rest when he became the youngest to ever win the Hobey Baker Award. Celebrini has filled the space of every league he’s been in, offering the perfect blend of elite processing and shifty skill. He sees the game faster than others, and has a special understanding of space and angles, making him a fantastic play-creator. I have no doubts that Celebrini will embrace NHL stardom with plenty of flash and grace.

2.) Zeev Buium, LD, NCHC (NCAA), Uni. of Denver, Dec 7, 2005, 6’0″, 183 lbs, American

Zeev Buium was fantastic at moving the puck up the ice during his time with the NTDP. But he struggled to make plays off the boards and wasn’t decisive in getting back to his spots after joining the rush. Somehow, he’s not only improved in both of those areas this season – they’ve become a core component of his game. Buium excelled at creating momentum and forcing entries off of the regroup with Denver and showed a keen understanding of how to create space and exploit scoring lanes from the blue line. Those are traits that the best defenders in the NHL build their games on, and it seems Buium could be on a hot track to join the group with a smash freshman year.

3.) Artyom Levshunov, RD, BIG 10 (NCAA), Michigan State, Oct 28, 2005, 6’2″, 209 lbs, Belarusian

It is my understanding that Artyom Levshunov’s move to Michigan State came together very quickly and with little forewarning in terms of training. And we saw the results of that early in the year when Levhsunov struggled to make plays quick enough to beat collegiate competition. But he adjusted quickly, and when Adam Nightingale gave him the chance to take on a true #1 role, he took it on in stride. Levshunov was playing upwards of 25 or more minutes a night by the end of the year. He makes strong decisions off of the puck and blends into the offensive rush seamlessly, helping him match the tempo of his forwards and slot into scoring lanes. Levshunov will need a good layer of polishing before he’s fully ready for the spotlight, but he’s come a long, long way in just two years of American hockey.

4.) Trevor Connelly, C/LW, USHL, Tri-City, Feb 28, 2006, 6’1″, 160 lbs, American, Providence

Trevor Connelly has looked special for Tri-City this season. He’s reached new heights in his ability to control the pace of play, routinely taking the puck from deep in the defensive end, bursting up the ice with top-level speed, then slowing things down and rotating the offensive zone over and over until the perfect play opened up. And while Connelly wasn’t always perfect at executing plays that he’d create, his keen awareness of how to create space and change pace make him mature for his age, and are major green flags in young prospects. I not only think he’s poised for pros in general – I think he’ll be able to sustain a solid pro role very soon.

5.) Cole Eiserman, LW/RW, NTDP, USA U18, Aug 29, 2006, 6’0″, 197 lbs, American, Boston Uni.

Cole Eiserman has been a hockey star for nearly half of his life. And he’s continuing to meet the bill, once again challenging the goal-scoring record for his team after shattering records throughout youth hockey. And while his shot and hands are as good as it gets, it’s Eiserman’s ability to drive downhill that really makes him so effective. He’s powerful and bursts down the wing with great aggression. That’s a trait that could adjust to the NHL, and if you’re going to be really good at something, it may as well be scoring goals. But, as many have pointed out, Eiserman hasn’t made major strides in doing much else. He reminds me of a draft-year Patrik Laine in that regard – posing the question of if his skill can subsist him long enough to develop his weaknesses. Eiserman is falling in rankings, and while mine will reflect that fall, I want to make clear that his ceiling hasn’t decreased one bit. His late birthday gives him a chance at extra development time, and the sky will be the limit if he can round his game out. He’ll need to have the right mindset moving forward, with a new challenge awaiting him in college hockey.

6.) Michael Hage, C, USHL, Chicago, Apr 14, 2006, 6’1″, 190 lbs, Canadian, Michigan

There’s something about how Michael Hage handles the puck. He’s just so precise, controlling the puck like it’s on a string with his passing and shooting. He’s a fluid puckhandler and attacks the middle of the ice really well, showing a great understanding of how to create space in the high slot and not rushing chances. And, most impressively, he’s maintained those next-level talents through what’s been a very, very hard juniors career. But Hage has stayed strong, showing his sheer skill and drive every time he touches the ice, even in the face of injury, personal loss, or organizational turnover. I never leave the rink disappointed when I go to watch Hage, and while I think he may have a longer road than some of his peers, I haven’t seen anything to make me doubt this kid.

7.) Sacha Boisvert, C, USHL, Muskegon, Mar 17, 2006, 6’2″, 179 lbs, American, North Dakota

Sacha Boisvert offers a very enticing mix of bulk, quick footwork, and nifty puck skills, while showing no hesitation for the gritty areas of the ice. That combination, along with a heavy shot, makes him effective from the top to the bottom of the offensive zone. Boisvert will have to to improve his individual play-creating, and gain confidence in attacking from the outside-in before he finds a meaningful pro role. But his blend of size and skill – and willingness to serve in any role, from slot battles to Ovi’s office – make him a player worth investing in.

8.) Matvei Gridin, LW, USHL, Muskegon, Mar 1, 2006, 6’1″, 185 lbs, Russian, Michigan

Matvei Gridin is a really exciting player to watch. He’s all about tempo, capable of making plays at any speed, turning the pace up or down, and building on his teammate’s speed well. And while he didn’t offer much outside of that speed at the start of the year, he’s come a long way in improving his ability to attack the slot and create plays out of the corner. That’s largely thanks to added confidence with his stickhandling – Gridin attacks opponents head-on and knows how to beat them with a quick head fake. There’s room to critique his energy off of the puck in the neutral and defensive zones, though college will offer a great place for him to learn how to slow down and better assess things on the wrong side of the puck. Especially considering he’ll be paired with offensive compliments as good as Michael Hage.

9.) Hagen Burrows, RW, USHL/HS, Sioux City/Minnetonka, Oct 13, 2005, 6’2″, 165 lbs, American, Denver

Hagen Burrows was the shock of the early season in the USHL, exploding for 15 points in his first 15 games in the league after previously never playing higher than Minnesota high school hockey. He showed a really special ability to work off of the boards and establish control of the middle of the ice, using a heavy shot and heads-up playmaking to direct play. He also had a filled-out frame upon entering the league – a rare commodity for juniors prospects. All of those traits combined to make Burrows effective out of the gates in the USHL, and an absolutely formidable talent in high school. He filled every role he could for Minnetonka this season, showing that he was clearly faster, stronger, and more skilled than his peers. He earned Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey Award for the performance and returned to the USHL as if he had never left – continuing to dominate possession through strong board play and creating plenty of scoring chances. Burrows has faced the challenge of juniors with full confidence, and should only continue his momentum with David Carle’s Denver Pioneers next season. He’s caught fire at the right time and plays a style that should directly translate to the next levels. That’s enough for me to be very excited about his potential – I’d spend a very early pick on Burrows.

10.) EJ Emery, LD, NTDP, USA U18, Mar 30, 2006, 6’3″, 185 lbs, American, North Dakota

EJ Emery has all of the makings of an impactful, rangy two-way defender; boasting very solid, heads-up puck control, hard passing, strong one-on-one defense, and great hockey IQ. It’s an exciting skillset that can really look professional when everything is working. But Emery’s overall impact is healthily held back by, frankly, immature decision making. It’s not that Emery isn’t smart – he absolutely is – but you can see him second-guessing himself, or pulling out of position when he may not want to. And since he’s not fully confident in stepping out of spot, he’s not quick getting back into it either – leaving gaps in his team’s back end. Luckily, I really do think it’s a factor of age, and something Emery will grow out of in an environment like North Dakota (former Defender U? Now that’s Denver!). He’s as sharp as they come and plays an impactful, translatable, all-three-zones style when he’s feeling right.

11.) Keith McInnis, RD, BCHL/USHL, Brooks/Waterloo, Jan 8, 2006, 6’1″, 192 lbs, Canadian, North Dakota

Keith McInnis made a surprise move to the AJHL (and then the BCHL – Canada hockey, so dramatic) midway through this season that still fascinates me. You could see in the move that he wanted to better embrace the offensive traits of his skillset, after serving in a role that kept him behind the red line at Waterloo. And he lived up to it, scoring well in Canada and serving a much bigger role in moving the puck up the ice. He controls the puck well, makes strong passes, and knows how to make a quick stick or body check to knock opponents off the puck in transition. McInnis bet on himself this season and lived up to the bill – I admire that in a draft-year prospect and think he’s shown a new layer that could really translate well to the next levels. We’ll see how legit he is when he takes the big step into college next season.

12.) John Mustard, F, USHL, Waterloo, Aug 16, 2006, 6’0″, 185 lbs, Canadian, Providence

It’s hard to think John Mustard was playing AAA hockey less than a year ago. He’s brought every last drop of work ethic that he could to the USHL, showing a real tireless commitment to the forecheck and dirty areas of the ice. And his raw skills are strong enough to make it work – with Mustard boasting very fast skating, solid hands, and a sturdy frame that’s hard to knock over. He’s a bullet on the ice and makes plays consistently. But he can struggle to turn turnovers into scoring chances, lacking a bit of an offensive finesse that could push him to a new level. Mustard will join a Providence program that’s already developing Tanner Adams, a similarly aggressive-yet-unpolished winger. That should bode well for Mustard’s next few years of development and help him add the sharp, complimentary offensive traits he needs. There’s a path to pro games ahead of Mustard if he can maintain his high energy and controlled aggression after bursting onto the scene this season.

13.) Kamil Bednarik, C, NTDP, USA U18, May 26. 2006, 6’0″, 186 lbs, American, Boston Uni.

Kamil Bednarik is a workhorse at his core. It’s his energy and persistence that makes him impactful, and he fits the bill of the super-speedy NTDP forward with a motor that never stops. But he’s more Ike Howard than Oliver Moore, and needs teammates capable of continuing the plays that he creates. Learning to slow down play on the puck, and better create open lanes, will be a big part of his next steps. But even without that change of pace ability, Bednarik has great awareness and quick playmaking. He forechecks hard, backchecks harder, and makes minimal impacts look big. I’d be excited to see how I could develop such a work ethic if I were a pro team.

14.) Teddy Stiga, LW/C, NTDP, USA U18, Apr 5, 2006, 5’10”, 177 lbs, American, Boston College

The NTDP can inspire a lot of growth, and Teddy Stiga has taken every last bit of it in. I think there were some questioning his potential after his U17 season, but Stiga has put all doubt to rest this year – showing off a fantastic commitment to growing and developing. He’s built out an aggression and fearlessness that’s hard to add to a game in any timeframe, much less just one season. And it’s made him a better player, helping Stiga become more of a threat off of the puck and increasing his ability to hang on to broken-down plays. His growth is worth serious, serious admiration. I still think he’ll face a big challenge in adjusting to the physical game at the next levels, and still find he can be a little naïve with his decision-making, leaving me content to rank him just a bit lower than some more bullish scouts.

15.) Dean Letourneau, C, USHL/HS, Sioux Falls/St. Andrew’s, Feb 21, 2006, 6’7″, 209 lbs, Canadian, Boston College

What’s not to love about a 6’7” player that doesn’t look awkward on the ice? That’s what Letourneau brings, showing off fluid skating and really strong puck control in his massive frame. I think most scouts are wondering what Letourneau’s long-term outlook looks like. His game lacks a layer of explosiveness that could turn him into a really dangerous playmaker, but he’s proven his effectiveness in the slot – something NHL teams should be able to build around given just how built out he is. Letourneau will need to become more comfortable with gritty physicality and learn a bit more discipline in net-front battles, but the idea of what he could be has some very, very excited.

16.) Kambryn Hendrickson, G, USHL/HS, Omaha/Chanhassen, Jan 9, 2006, 6’2″, 185 lbs, American, Uncommitted

I have been on the megaphone for Kam Hendrickson for three years now. While I’m not keen on discussing goalies in this ranking (Hendrickson is the only one ranked), I couldn’t help but include him after he had a near-perfect stint in his first USHL games. In a world where everyone’s worry is unpredictability in goalies, Hendrickson has shown his ability to stand up to even the toughest games and win them for his team. He’s a loose, fast goalie that thinks quicker than he moves and stands strong when facing shots head-on. His corners could be better, but his glove has surprised me more than a few times. And, frankly, his character is great – how many chances do you get to draft a goalie captain?? Hendrickson deserves a huge opportunity, and I’m confident he’ll live up to it. He hasn’t disappointed me yet.

17.) Brodie Ziemer, C/RW, NTDP, USA U18, Feb 22, 2006, 5’11”, 192 lbs, American, Minnesota

Brodie Ziemer is a very talented player, capable of playing at a very fast pace without losing any puck skills or processing. But he’s missing a layer of poise that keeps him from ever looking totally smooth or cohesive in a system. He can get caught off-guard by the puck, and isn’t always fully confident in his decision-making, really limiting what is a special skillset. And it’s not that Ziemer isn’t capable – he can certainly pull a rabbit out of a hat when he wants to. There’s something special about Ziemer, that makes him exciting to watch when he’s hot and aluring to watch when he’s cold. He’ll need to learn a good deal of focus to translate into the pros – but his upside if he does add that focus is very, very high.

18.) Will Skahan, LD, NTDP, USA U18, May 14, 2006, 6’4″, 211 lbs, American, Boston College

Will Skahan is the choice favorite of a lot of people around USA Hockey this year – and I totally see why. He’s a big-frame defender with great heft, good puck-moving, and a heavy shot. He is totally capable of commanding a breakout, and shows an eagerness to join the offensive rush that I enjoy. But Skahan lacks a lot of agility, making it difficult for him to react or reach his top speed quickly in a backcheck or puck race. Though, he’s interesting, because there are two realistic paths forward for Skahan. He could either add the agility and lean into improving his transition game – or he could lean into his heavy frame, and develop a more “old-fashioned”, heavy-hitting style. We don’t see much of that in today’s NHL, and Skahan has the puck-skills and general fundamentals to make it work – though he’d need to become much more eager to square-up and lay-out opponents.

19.) Colin Ralph, LD, USHL/HS, Dubuque/Shattuck, Oct 4, 2005, 6’4″, 227 lbs, American, St. Cloud State

Colin Ralph has developed a translatable style this year, gaining a lot of confidence in holding the puck through the neutral zone and taking his time to find plays. He holds the blue line well, has an effective, long reach, and commands the breakout well. They’re all traits that fall into a clear style of player – and that’s encouraging for Ralph’s projectability. He’s a strong puck-mover and doesn’t let up many weaknesses, but (like many high schoolers) will need to show that he can keep up with playmaking against much harder (and much faster) competition.

20.) Christian Humphreys, RW/C, NTDP, USA U18, Feb 4, 2006, 5’11”, 170 lbs, American, Michigan

Christian Humphreys looked like he could really be something during his U17 season. He showed off strong puckhandling and an innate ability to create space in the offensive end. His shot was fantastic and he showed very little stress when working in-tight. And while all of those things are still true, I find Hupmhreys is still missing an energy to his game. He doesn’t have much bite, and can be slow to react to pressuring defenders or changes in possession. The slow speed also keeps him from being too effective of a playmaker, even if he possesses the raw tools to be fantastic. Being able to play with, and adjust to, pace is critical at the next level. It’s also the primary area where Humphreys could improve. He should get plenty of chance to play in a fast-pace environment at Michigan – and how he adjusts should be very telling.

21.) Javon Moore, C/LW, USHL/HS, Sioux Falls/Minnetonka, Dec 7, 2005, 6’2″, 181 lbs, American, Minnesota

Javon Moore has grown into a really interesting prospect. He’s always had great power-skating and good agility, but he’s added a healthy boost of confidence when engaging aggressively and physically in the offensive zone. He’s clearly working to find how he can best use his size, without losing any of the speed or skill that’s defined his game for the last few years. That kind of growth is very encouraging to see in such a young player, especially one that hasn’t yet been exposed to the rigors of a juniors weight room. But it’s also not hard to see that inexperience in Moore, who can lack direction or poise when off of the puck. Moore has a style worth buying into, and is clearly putting in the work, but he needs the polish of a tougher level before we can confidently see what he is. It’s never comfortable betting on a player twice – in this case, hoping he adjusts well to both juniors and pros – and so I’ll rank Moore a bit lower, despite his upside being certainly higher than some of his peers in this range.

22.) Ilya Protas, C/RW, USHL, Des Moines, Jul 18, 2006, 6’3″, 183 lbs, Belarusian, Uncommitted

There is no denying that Ilya Protas is a bit awkward to watch. He’s not the most elegant skater, and doesn’t always take the best attacking routes. But he’s damn effective, using a strong reach and good physicality to corral opponents and win possession. Protas knows his roles in the slot/corners and fills them to his fullest. He has great fundamentals and knows how to make quick plays in tight areas. Everyone wants flashy players, but Protas is a good example of a flawed player who still brings a strong and projectable impact to every shift. He’s helped along by his brother, Aliaksei, showing how well the style works at the NHL level.

23.) Max Plante, C, NTDP, USA U18, Feb 20, 2006, 5’10”, 172 lbs, American, Minnesota-Duluth

Max Plante is one of the smartest players in his age group. He’s carried that title for years. His ability to process and respond to plays before they happen – before any hints are even given – is really something. Much of his game is built on strong fundamentals and a great hockey IQ getting him into position to make a play. But there seems to be a piece missing from Plante’s game that keeps him from being fully effective. He’s not the man that’s going to drive play or break through the line of defenders. He struggles to create space when working off the boards and doesn’t engage physically nearly as much as he should. I’ll say – Max’s older brother Zam had a similar disengagement in his draft year, and he’s since become a very dynamic playmaker. Max could follow suit, though I worry his current style doesn’t project well.

24.) Cole Hutson, LD, NTDP, USA U18, June 28, 2006, 5’10”, 159 lbs, American, Boston Uni.

The Hutson family is back in the eye, with second-youngest Cole playing through his spotlight year at the NTDP. And I get why people are excited – there is a lot of Lane in Cole. Both are shifty on the puck and have an innate ability to find even the smallest of lanes. But, frankly, Cole is not Lane – and I wish he’d lean into his uniquities more. He was much more of a shoot-first defenseman in youth hockey, using quick stickhandling to earn space at the top of the circles and release hard snapshots – rather than what we’ve seen at the NTDP, where he’s been much more focused on working lower into the zone and more pass-heavy. And while it’s nice to see him lose his selfishness with the puck (really, he’s come an admirable way), Cole just doesn’t have the agility or footwork to excel at the playmaking role like the speedy Lane does. There is a balance between shoot-first and pass-first that Cole will need to find, and I’d reason it’ll start when he gets back to finding creative shooting lanes from the tops of the circles. As it stands, he floats too much into the middle of the ice, and takes just a little too long to find plays – making him hard to project, even if he is an incredibly skilled prospect with high upside.

25.) Kaden Shahan, LW, USHL, Sioux City, May 24, 2005, 5’11”, 170 lbs, American, UConn

Kaden Shahan has become a very interesting, and special, player this season. He’s a heavy forechecker, but improved substantially at keeping pressure on defenders and forcing turnovers. Shahan can create from anywhere when he wins the puck back, with fantastic puckhandling, a really underrated shot, and a good ability to find teammates. Still, he was a bit too north-and-south for me, and I worry he could be overwhelmed when things become more focused on in-zone play. But even then, Shahan found a way to adjust to any role that was thrown at him and still make a strong impact. That’s admirable and should help him out plenty at the next level.

26.) Charlie Cerrato, LW/RW, USHL, Youngstown, Mar 10, 2005, 6’0″, 190 lbs, American, Penn State

Charlie Cerrato was a firecracker all year long. His energy was second-to-none, and you could really see his drive to make things happen every shift. And he did exactly that, pressuring defenders well, working into Youngstown’s cycle seamlessly, and showing great poise when making decisions with the puck on his stick. There is a lot to like with Cerrato, though I worry his game might be a bit more impact-over-intention, and question whether he can maintain his highly effective offensive-zone play at the next level. It took him time to adjust to the USHL, though we’ve only seen him in a prime role for one season. He could boom or bust – but I expect the high-energy Cerrato will make it exciting either way.

27.) Benjamin Poitras, C/LW, USHL, Green Bay, Jul 18, 2005, 5’11”, 181 lbs, Canadian, Northeastern

Ben Poitras isn’t the most exciting player – but he’s become someone that makes an impact every shift, on the back of strong fundamentals and an impressive ability to work between the three lanes to support his teammates. Poitras is solid on the puck – nifty enough to beat defenders on occasion and creative enough to set up quick plays to his teammates in transition. He doesn’t falter in many areas, though he takes a while to build up his speed, limiting his overall explosivity. I’ll say – Poitras came to the USHL and showed he was willing to take on any role needed to support the team. He’s developed a style that’s ready for college, and I think his tenacity will help him make the most of his chances at Northeastern. That should lead to pro games at some point.

28.) Tory Pitner, RD, USHL, Youngstown, Mar 6, 2006, 6’1″, 183 lbs, American, Denver

Tory Pitner is a very sound defenseman, not offering up too much in any one area and always working well with his linemates. He’s at his best when moving the puck in transition, and knows how to make himself an option in the offensive-end. However, I find that Pitner can struggle to take play into his own hands – with a lot of his play coming through his teammates rather than his own driving. He’s certainly well-rounded, and knows how to fill the role of a two-way, puck-moving defender. Those talents typically translate, so I’m willing to cut Pitner some slack – though I question what his game will look like at the next step.

29.) Will Felicio, LD, USHL, Waterloo/Madison, May 19, 2006, 5’10”, 161 lbs, American, Denver

Will Felicio has been a fun defender to follow over the last three seasons. He’s really smooth with the puck, and knows how to find slick passing lanes to set up his teammates. There have even flashes where Felicio is the most exciting player on the ice, showing a stellar understanding of how to dip into the offensive zone to create chances and buy time. But whether from team style or personal talent – Felicio simply doesn’t have those moments often. His off-puck ability is solid – he knows how to play within the dots when defending the rush and has an effective reach – but he’s not above average off of the puck, and seems to be missing a finishing touch to his game. He swapped to Denver at the start of the year, and I really think he’ll enjoy playing under David Carle full-time. He should have plenty of chance to lean into the traits that make him special – re, high-possession offense and defenders leading the rush. Optimism for college could land Felicio a higher ranking in my final Draft rankings, but for now I’m remaining tepid.

30.) Adam Kleber, RD, USHL, Lincoln, Mar 24, 2006, 6’5″, 203 lbs, American, Minnesota-Duluth

Adam Kleber has been an exciting defenseman for years. The kid is a square, and does a fantastic job at using his frame to force opponents into the boards, engage physically, and win puck battles. He certainly has the tertiary talents as well – with fine-enough puckhandling and passing, a solid shot, and a good understanding of how to join the rush. But Kleber lacks a layer of engagement and creativity that keeps him from ever being too inspiring on the ice. That makes me question how strong of a role he could handle one day, though I’ll say there are a lot of staff behind the scenes that love Kleber’s floor, and think the more advanced offensive traits can come in college. Eric Pohlkamp had a similar conversation. Could missing on Pohlkamp drive some teams to consider Kleber early?

31.) Austin Burnevik, RW, USHL, Madison, Jan 3, 2005, 6’4″, 201 bs, American, St. Cloud State

I have loved how Austin Burnevik has taken opportunity into his own hands this season. He’s no longer sitting back and waiting for play to come to him – he’s aggressively searching for it, looking much more effective in puck battles and diving into the corners. That’s largely helped by the boost of speed and lateral agility that Burnevik has added this year, helping him keep up with opponents and strike on the counter-attack much more consistently. Burnevik is still a bit unorganized in his forecheck, and can work himself into awkward positions as a result. That keeps me from confidently saying he has pro upside, but his aggression, grit, and ability to create out in-tight are all very admirable traits.

32.) Finn McLaughlin, LD, USHL, Fargo, Feb 28, 2006, 6’2″, 194 lbs, Canadian, Denver

Finn McLaughlin has been a personal favorite of mine for some time. I just can’t get enough of how smooth he is with the puck on his stick. McLaughlin is a rangy defender with smooth skating and great heads-up scanning, helping him stay aware of teammates and opportunities even as he’s moving at full speed. He finds those chances well in the offensive end, showing no fear in making risky passes that very often pay off. And he’s stout defensively, largely thanks to his long reach and size. I think McLaughlin offers a lot of traits that should translate well – though he’ll need to improve his agility and edgework to maintain tempo in harder levels.

33.) Landan Resendes, LW/C, USHL, Cedar Rapids, Dec 10, 2005, 5’9″, 165 lbs, American, Boston College

Landan Resendes is absolutely relentless. He never stops moving on the ice, constantly adjusting his positioning and attacking angles to give himself the best chances for success. He’s very dynamic on the puck, and knows how to create time and space in a way not many at this age do. It’s all made him a very exciting prospect, even if he can still be a bit naive or overeager. There are two paths forward for Resendes – either he leans into his fast-paced forechecking and becomes a strong grit guy, or he leans into solid puck-skills and an ability to open up space. Both paths over pro upside, although it’ll be up to Resendes to build his way there after a breakout season in Iowa.

34.) James Reeder, F, USHL, Dubuque, Oct 6, 2005, 5’9″, 168 lbs, American, Denver

James Reeder is another fan favorite. He’s a hard-nosed forward who’s shown no hesitation in driving into the corners or engaging on the boards. That’s helped along by great hockey IQ, helping Reeder uniquely position himself to impact play. Reeder is also impressively patient on the puck, and takes his time to open lanes and find opponents. But I think his puck-skills and downhill speed need a boost before he’s able to match his role at the next level. As it stands, I worry his current style may be just a little too slow. But Reeder figured out the USHL quickly, and with how smart of a player he is – I imagine he’ll figure out college quickly too. We’ll see more clearly what kind of player he can be when he moves to Denver.

35.) Sam Laurila, LD, NTDP, USA U18, Sept 2, 2006, 6’0″, 190 lbs, American, North Dakota

Sam Laurila is an unrefined prospect as it stands. He added a lot more poise and retreat to his game this year, but still looked a bit unruly with pushing out of his position and rushing up the ice. The thing is – he’s really good at it. Laurila controls transition and creates plays as good as any defender on this year’s NTDP, and isn’t scared to take chances for himself. His puckhandling is strong, his shot is good enough, and his skating has a good oomph behind it when he’s pushing up the ice. Laurila needs to become more seamless between the three zones, or off-puck to on-puck, and add a good deal of lateral agility. But if he brings in those pieces, he’ll have NHL games in him.

36.) Luke Osburn, LD, USHL, Youngstown, Sep 9, 2006, 6’0″, 172 lbs, American, Wisconsin

Luke Osburn has become a favorite of many public scouts, enticed by his ability to effectively challenge opponents, shut down play, and move the puck back up the ice. He’s become a very impactful defender, stepping up at the blue-line and using a strong, active stick to direct play. But I find that Osburn acts more when play comes to him than he does in creating play for himself. He’ll need to become more eager in carrying the puck and finding plays on his own, and add a good deal of pace and tempo to his game, before he’s able to fully blend with pro-level teammates. Osburn has come a long way this season, and is one of the draft’s youngest players, speaking a lot of momentum into his next few years of development – but I don’t want to get too excited just yet.

37.) Mac Swanson, LW, USHL, Fargo, Jan 10, 2006, 5’7″, 157 lbs, American, North Dakota

Mac Swanson has clearly figured out the USHL. He’s always been fantastic on the puck, but he’s really developed his ability to create space and plays from the boards over the last few years – on the back of great agility, quick puckwork, and really strong vision. And frankly, Swanson is just smarter than the rest – and knows how to pull opponents into bad positions. But I do think he’ll face an uphill battle as he adjusts to the physicality of the next levels, especially given that much of his creating comes from the wings. Swanson is absolutely talented enough, and smart enough, to find ways to adjust, but knowing that process will need to happen has me starting elsewhere.

38.) Connor Bewick, RD, USHL, Des Moines, Apr 5, 2006, 5’11”, 170 lbs, American, Penn State

Connor Bewick has a knack for taking opportunity in stride. He’s fought his way up the Des Moines lineup, after earning spot USHL starts (and a D1 scholarship) late last season. His work ethic is a defining trait, with Bewick not only putting in the work but also responding to feedback well. And having that mindset has helped him continuously build a hefty, behind-the-puck style that lets Bewick spark the offensive rush without committing too far up the ice. Finding that defined style this year should set up Bewick for good development next year, as he becomes more confident throwing his body around and gets more opportunities on the puck.

39.) Charlie Major, F, USHL, Chicago, Sep 14, 2004, 5’10”, 179 lbs, American, Cornell

Charlie Major showed this season just how strong his pace and intelligence really are. He was a lightning bolt in Chicago, showing no fear in engaging physically and creating plays in the blink of an eye. He’s added a good deal of confidence and bravado to his game, and showed that he can play on a top line. However, Major still doesn’t attack laterally as much as I’d like, and can be prone to mistakes on his own side of the red line. The scouts said, “prove it”, by leaving him undrafted last season and he did exactly that. He now has a platform for his game – a style he can lean into; but can he keep up the strong development?

40.) JJ Monteiro, LW/C, BCHL, Salmon Arm, Jan 12, 2006, 6’0″, 185 lbs, American, Providence

I was very excited for JJ Monteiro’s juniors career, and a bit saddened when he left my lovely USHL for Canada. But he’s brought the skill all the same, continuing to excel as a shifty forward capable of making decisive moves as soon as he crosses the blue line. But I’m not fully sold just yet. While Monteiro’s individual ability is great, I find his ability in the low zone or off of the puck could really use a boost. The legendary Seth Appert always says – you need to know what you’re going to do before you get the puck. That’s what Monteiro needs to work on, though his skill and frame are exciting enough for me to bet on his ability to address his weaknesses.

41.) Cameron Briere, LW/C, USHL, Tri-City, Nov 5, 2005, 5’10”, 150 lbs, American, Nebraska-Omaha

Cam Briere took some time to find his footing in the USHL, and I think he’s still working on building up his speed. But he’s now starting to show his skillset, showing a really impressive ability to create plays off the board and fight for space in the slot. He has a good grit and uses a strong stance to stay on his feet, even if his frame is a bit slimmer. There is a long path ahead for Briere, as he’s tries to pick up the nuances of the transition game in harder and harder levels. But he makes plays in both slots, and knows how to fight the puck out of the corners or off of the boards. I don’t at all doubt that Briere would be able to play in the AHL one day, solely because of his in-zone strengths, giving him a great platform to improve from as he adds more pace. Late picks are meant to find pros and Briere has it in him.

42.) Tanner Adams, RW/LW, HE (NCAA), Providence, Sep 2, 2005, 5’11”, 183 lbs, American

Tanner Adams wasn’t far out from being drafted last year, and I really thought he was worth a selection, but some cracks in his style have started to shine through this year. He’s still a skilled, lightning-fast forechecker who excels at forcing turnovers, but Adams struggled to find and maintain his position this year, chasing the puck and disrupting his team’s systems. The floating made his play much less effective and put Adams into poor attacking positions. I’m still enticed by his hard-hitting forechecking and ability to make plays quickly, but he’ll need to reign in some of his wandering before I’d move him to the pro level.

43.) William Zellers, LW, USHL/HS, Green Bay/Shattuck, Apr 4, 2006, 5’11”, 170 lbs, American, North Dakota

Will Zellers is a flashy, high-speed winger that’s at his best with the puck on his stick. He cuts across lanes well and attacks opponents head-on, thanks to a strong foundation of raw skills that’s set him above the rest in the prep league. But I still find Zellers is missing the higher-level play-creating that he’ll need to take on harder competition. He’s due for a big step up, headed to North Dakota straight out of Shattuck, and I worry he may take longer to refine his high-tempo offense than I would hope. His great puck skills and sheer ability to produce make Zellers a draft name worth following, though one closer to the tail end of my list.

44.) John Whipple, LD, NTDP, USA U18, Jan 20, 2006, 6’1″, 194 lbs, American, Minnesota

John Whipple was formerly the top defender in this American class, on the puck of a fantastic on-puck ability and really pretty skating. He was a play-creator to the fullest extent, something boosted by a powerful and physical frame. But, unfortunately, that dominant play-creating hasn’t continued into the NTDP. Whipple has instead looked a bit more disengaged than I expected. He certainly fills his role well, and has taken to physical defense more than I thought he would. But he simply needs to reignite his spark before I can say he’s too projectable. As it stands, I’m not sure what type of player Whipple wants to be.

45.) Aidan Park, LW, USHL/HS, Green Bay/Shattuck, Jan 6, 2006, 6’0″, 185 lbs, American, Michigan

Aidan Park was previously a top prospect in this age group, commended for his fantastic processing and quick hands from a very young age. And while he’s certainly still a skilled hockey player, I almost think he’s lost a layer of creative playmaking, in favor of more direct, hit-and-go attacking. I think that’s largely a part of returning to what works in high school, but it leaves Park a bit underwhelming when he steps into tougher levels. He’s certainly no slouch, and I’m sure pro teams know that – but he’ll need to rediscover his patient and poised playmaking if he wants to return to the heights he was once at.

46.) Jack Sadowski, C, High School, Kimball Union, July 28, 2006, 6’0″, 179 lbs, American, New Hampshire

Jack Sadowski is a really exciting prospect. He has a big, strong frame, nifty puckhandling, and a nose for the net. He’s a scorer at his core, working defenders until chances open up and going to war for loose pucks in the slot. But it’s been hard to see the nuances of Sadowski’s came while in high school. He can easily look entirely disengaged, only interested when the puck is moving his way. That’s not to say that he’s not impactful – his frame and general positioning keep him effective – but he will need to add more cerebral processing to his game as he approaches juniors. We’ll see how that goes, though even then – it’s hard not to bet on a centerman who wins faceoffs, wins puck battles, and gets to the front of the net.

47.) Callum Hughes, C, BCHL, West Kelowna, Jan 21, 2006, 6’1″, 170 lbs, American, Boston Uni.

Callum Hughes became a bit of a boring prospect this season, receding into a role largely based around his ability to control space in the middle of the ice. He’s a big body who knows how to fight for room and make plays in-tight. He’s also plenty effective in the defense and neutral zone, again performing the duties of a prototypical centerman with little fuss. Hughes becomes a very interesting player when he gets space in the high slot, and clearly knows how to create shooting lanes or find teammates. But I fear the direction his game is moving is instead pushing him more-and-more into the low slot. Finding the balance between the two roles, and getting more involved in puck-touches, will be important as Hughes moves to a Boston University offense that should have plenty of tempo.

48.) Chase Stefanek, C, BCHL, Trail, Aug 1, 2006, 6’2″, 179 lbs, American, Harvard

Chase Stefanek is a burly forward who sacrifices position for opportunity, working around defenders well and taking advantage of space any time he has it. And he’s strong, capable of driving through any defenders that he can’t work around. I’ve always loved Stefanek’s shot, and ability to create space at the tops of the circles, but he didn’t do much else this season – leaving a lot to be desired from his off-puck and defensive play. It’s more about finding the right ways to get involved than anything else, though, and for that reason Stefanek should be able to adjust to college smoothly.

49.) Taisetsu Ushio, RW/LW, NAHL, Anchorage, Dec 5, 2005, 5’9″, 165 lbs, Japanese, Uncommitted

I’ve been screaming Tai Ushio’s name for a long, long time – to no buyers. He’s moved into a quiet, but really impactful, role with Anchorage, where he’s gotten plenty of chance to play on the puck and show off his nifty ability to beat defenders and attack the slot. He’s a creative player with dazzling puck control and speedy skating, that’s hard to beat when he’s on his game. There’s good reason to question his ability to make plays off of the puck, and his lack of physical frame. But Ushio is a player skilled enough to play Division-1 hockey, and he deserves the chance after not getting a big stage in juniors.

50.) Tyler Starich, LD, High School, Gilmour Academy, Jan 14, 2006, 5’8″, 170 lbs, American, Uncommitted

Tyler Starich is far from the most well-rounded defender. He still needs to add a good deal of pace to his game, and learn how to play on the puck in tougher levels. But I really enjoyed how unique his play-creating was this year. He is constantly looking for opportunities and doesn’t hesitate to move out of position if he think it’ll give him an advantage. I think that foundation is strong enough to earn Starich solid scoring in juniors – though we’ll see if the rest of his game can build up with it.

Honorable Mentions

Vladislav Bryzgalov, Chris Delaney, Jack Galanek, Luke Goukler, Owen Keefe, Theo Kiss, Noah LaPointe, Brian Longeran, John McNellis, Andrew O’Sullivan, Carson Pilgrim, Harper Searles, Justin Solovey, Calvin Vachon, Drew Waterfield, Thomas Zocco

Table Rankings