Bartschi has 3 NHL goals to his name after a 5-game stint with the Calgary Flames this season.

6. Patrick Holland, RW – Tri City Americans

(Calgary Flames, 7th round, 2010 (since traded to MTL))

An often overlooked piece in the offensive juggernaut that is the Tri City Americans, Patrick Holland very well may have the most NHL upside out of any forward on the team. After only one year of junior hockey, the Calgary Flames used a late round pick to land the highly skilled forward who has since gone on to become one of the most exciting players in the WHL. Holland is a smooth player with sneaky, quick hands, and great playmaking sense. He plays the blueline on the power play, effectively quarterbacking what became the league’s most explosive offense. He has a quick release and a shot that gets through traffic with precision. Already signed to his first professional contract, Holland should start next season in the AHL.

7. Emerson Etem, RW – Medicine Hat Tigers

(Anaheim Ducks, 1st round, 2010)

Emerson Etem’s 19-year-old season in the WHL is one that will long be remembered as he became the first player since Layne Ulmer in 2001 to top 60 goals – and the first since Pavel Brendl in 1998 to score 50 goals in 50 games. The biggest knock on Etem heading into the 2010 draft was his skating – something he has quickly proved to actually be an asset. Though his style isn’t textbook, Etem gets where he’s going in a hurry, and has great hands and a lethal shot to finish when he gets there. Etem was without a doubt the league’s premier goal scorer this year, and has scored 143 goals in only 202 career regular season games. Etem projects as a potential first line winger at the NHL level, and has to be considered one of the top goal scoring prospects in the world. Etem will have to get stronger, and will have to score goals to be fully effective, but he certainly has the skill and compete level that teams love to have in their system.

8. Michael St. Croix, C – Edmonton Oil Kings

(NY Rangers, 4th round, 2011)

With an improving young team in Edmonton, Michael St. Croix improved his point totals from 2010-11 by a full 30 points, while displaying improved two-way play and good leadership capabilities. The results in Edmonton were immediate, as the team won the WHL’s Scotty Munro trophy with the league’s best record. St. Croix played in all 72 games for the Oil Kings, and led the team in scoring by 25 points while also finishing the season with a +40 rating – second best on the team. St. Croix is a smooth offensive player, with good hands in tight and very good timing. He’s a good passer with a very accurate shot, and is willing to go to the hard areas to compete and make plays. Size and strength will be a bit of a concern going forward, but at only 18 years of age, St. Croix will still have at least one more year of WHL hockey to improve in this area. St. Croix will certainly be considered a contender for the league’s scoring title in 2012-13, as the Oil Kings will retain many of their key pieces heading into next year, with St. Croix looking to lead the way once again.

9. Michael Ferland, LW – Brandon Wheat Kings

(Calgary Flames, 5th round, 2010)

Spending his season flanking Mark Stone on the top line for the Wheaties certainly didn’t hurt Ferland’s stock this year, as he finished just inside the top-10 in the league in scoring. Ferland proved to be a burden for WHL defensemen this year, as the big-bodied forward effectively used his pro frame to battle his way to the front of the net for scoring opportunities. Ferland has good hands in tight and a quick release that allowed him to score 47 goals this year. Ferland also competes hard in the defensive zone, and continued to be a willing pugilist when he was called upon to drop the gloves. Ferland will look to the AHL after his season is over, where he will have to improve upon his skating in order to make it to the next level.

10. Sven Bartschi, LW – Portland Winterhawks

(Calgary Flames, 1st round, 2011)

After making the jump to North America and the WHL as an 18 year old, Sven Bartschi burst onto the scene with the Portland Winterhawks, en route to being selected in the first round of the 2011 draft by the Calgary Flames. This year, Bartschi continued to show his impressive offensive game. Despite some injury woes, Bartschi absolutely tore up the WHL alongside Ty Rattie, showcasing his excellent hands and timely passing to create arguably the league’s deadliest duo. Bartschi plays every shift at a high speed, and despite his small frame, goes to the hard areas on the ice. He has a very underrated shot that he gets off in a hurry, and competes on a high level whenever he’s called upon. Bartschi could start next season with the Calgary Flames, however it is possible that he starts off in the AHL – either way, Bartschi has well above average offensive instincts, and definitely projects as a potential top-6 NHL forward.

Brendan Shinimin's impressive season landed him an NHL entry-level contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.

This season, there were eight players who surpassed the 100 point plateau; and another four that ended the season with more than 90 points. Included in that group was Portland’s Sven Bartschi, who scored a whopping 33 goals and 94 points in only 47 games – good for a two point per game average. Here’s a breakdown of each player’s output, as well as a brief look at what the road may look like in the future.

1. Brendan Shinnimin, C – Tri City Americans

(Signed as FA with Phoenix Coyotes)

Coming into the season, there was no doubt that Brendan Shinnimin would be amongst the leading scorers from the start. Shinnimin’s 58 goals and 76 assists paced the Americans to their fourth US Division title in 5 years, also earning the Bob Clarke trophy as the league’s top scorer. The smallish Shinnimin also continued to prove a willingness to compete in the rough and tumble WHL by adding 82 penalty minutes, good for fifth on his team. With above average playmaking skills, good speed, excellent hockey smarts, and a high compete level, Shinnimin should adjust fairly smoothly to the AHL next season. Getting stronger has to be a major point of focus for Shinnimin, however if he can bring his scoring tough to the next level, he should certainly be on the fast track to success in the pro ranks.

2. Mark Stone, C – Brandon Wheat Kings

(Ottawa Senators, 6th round, 2010)

Mark Stone of the Brandon Wheat Kings is another player who had high expectations to start the year. Stone went on to lead the Wheat Kings in assists, points, and plus minus; and also made an appearance for Team Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championships, scoring 10 points (fourth in the tournament), including 7 goals, while leading Canada to a bronze medal. Though Stone could stand to add some bulk before moving on to the pro game, he does have a big frame with which to work. He’s an excellent playmaker, able to thread passes to his teammates from just about any angle, and is a very good shooter. He does a good job of finding space for himself and getting the puck on and off of his stick very quickly. Should Stone be able to improve his foot speed, he will have all of the tools to be a very good prospect with middle-six potential at the NHL level.

3. Ty Rattie, RW – Portland Winterhawks

(St. Louis, 2nd round, 2011)

Any concerns the Portland Winterhawks had about their offense coming into the season were quickly answered by the lethal combination of Ty Rattie and Sven Bartschi. After losing three of their top five scorers in 2010-11 to the pro ranks, the duo quickly revved up their game and led the Winterhawks to a second place finish in their division. Rattie showed an improved willingness to go to the hard areas and make plays, while continuing to use his speed and great offensive instincts to earn himself quality scoring chances. Rattie was seemingly dangerous every time he was on the ice, and his deadly shooting and timely playmaking were the prime reasons. Rattie will have to continue to get stronger, and will also need to improve his two-way play to become a more complete player. As it stands, Rattie should be an early front runner for next year’s scoring title in the WHL, where he will likely spend the season while he continues to develop into a top prospect for the St. Louis Blues.

4. Adam Hughesman, LW – Tri City Americans

(NHL Free Agent)

Adam Hughesman improved his points totals in each of his five years in the WHL, this season coming in at 4th in the entire league in scoring. Hughesman is a very good complimentary winger with a quick release and strong offensive instincts. Though he doesn’t have a lot of size or toughness to his game, he has proven a durable, reliable player throughout his WHL tenure, finishing with 350 points in 338 career regular season games, as well as an impressive +121 career rating. Whether or not he has the upside to play in the pros is debatable, particularly when he remains an unsigned free agent, but he should attract some AHL interest for next year.

5. Jordan Weal, C – Regina Pats

(LA Kings, 3rd round, 2010)

When Jordan Weal was available with the 70th pick in the 2010 draft, the Kings had to be ecstatic. Thought to be a possible late first round pick (TSR had him at #23 overall), Weal had already scored 172 points through two WHL seasons and certainly looked capable of following in the footsteps of then-teammate Jordan Eberle. Weal has been a prolific scorer throughout his junior career – posting two 100+ point seasons – scoring 385 points in only 282 games. The smallish forward is a quick, deceptive skater, and he has above average offensive instincts. He gets to open areas and finds teammates with perfectly timed passes, and has a great sense of where everyone is on the ice. Size will be a big concern for Weal moving forward, as well as some questions about his two-way play – something he certainly improved upon as he grew into a more mature junior player. Weal has already moved on to play with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL, where he will likely spend next season.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this feature, analyzing the 6-10 top scorers in the WHL this season.

15-year-old Connor McDavid was the Player of the Year in the GTHL and was dominant all year long.

1. Erie Otters – LC Connor McDavid

After being given exceptional status by the OHL, Newmarket, Ont. native Connor McDavid will be at the forefront of the Otter’s rebuild. McDavid is without a doubt, the top player in Minor Midget this season and will be an impact player from Day 1. While not physically overwhelming, McDavid is a dominating offensive force who is equally effective in the offensive zone or off the rush. He’s a tremendous skater with great acceleration and agility, which helps him avoid a lot of body contact due to his elusiveness. With the franchise’s future in doubt, McDavid will go a long way towards not only helping the Otters stay in Erie, but leading the team back to relevance.

———-

2. Kingston Frontenacs – RD Roland McKeown

While Josh Ho-Sang may seem like a good fit for the Fronts, passing up on a franchise defenseman would be a major mistake, especially for a team that is thin on the blue line. McKeown is a throwback defenseman who looks like more of a “rover” than a traditional defenseman. His dynamic skating ability and solid all-around game make him an intriguing player whose style is reminiscent of former #2 pick Michael Del Zotto. McKeown is a character kid who will be a huge component of the Fronts resurgence next year.

———-

3. Peterborough Petes – RC Eric Cornel

Cornel doesn’t have the same level of hype as some of the other players in the draft, but make no mistake; he may very well be the top 96 when it’s all said and done. Playing on a team that lacked the natural talent many of the top MM teams have, Cornel was dominant all season and was an offensive force despite teams keying in on him. Cornel has great size and has an intriguing combination of skating ability and offensive creativity. Cornel has tremendous hockey sense and is very dangerous off the rush or during offensive zone pressure. He does a great job of finding open teammates and also has a strong ability to generate his own scoring chances. It will be interesting to see where Peterborough sees him fitting in on their roster – either at centre or on the wing – but he’s going to be an impact player in the OHL at 16 and will be a great piece of the Petes resurgence next year.

———-

4. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – LC Robby Fabbri

After an extremely disappointing season in the Soo, the Greyhounds need to reload quickly to capitalize on a limited window of opportunity with 19-year-olds Nick Cousins, Ryan Sproul, and Andrew Fritsch. With ties to the area, Fabbri should have no issues with reporting to the Soo and will add an offensive punch to a lineup that struggled to score at times. As one of the elite players of the crop, Fabbri is a tremendous offensive talent who has explosive speed and the ability to make plays at high speed. He makes up for a lack of size by competing hard and never taking a shift off. His exciting style of play and positive demeanour should make him a fan favourite in the Soo.

———-

5. Windsor Spitfires – RC Joshua Ho-Sang

After eclipsing 100 points with the ’95 Toronto Marlies a year ago, not many would have envisioned that Josh Ho- Sang would slip all the way to #5. This season, however, has been a bumpy ride at the best of times with concerns about teamwork, attitude, and coachability all coming into play. While these concerns are valid, there is no denying the sheer offensive talent that Ho-Sang possesses. Ho-Sang is one of the top skaters in the draft and his stickhandling and shooting ability rival that of NHL players. The big question mark with Ho-Sang will be whether or not he can learn to be a team player in the OHL and maximize his potential.

———-

6. Guelph Storm – LW Jared McCann

McCann had a great year after coming over to London and was the Alliance’s player of the year. He’s a very strong skater and is especially dynamic off the rush where he utilizes his acceleration and speed to generate scoring chances. McCann competes hard and is not afraid to play a physical game and mix it up in the corners – although he will need to add some strength in order to play this style at the OHL level. If you’re looking for some concerns with McCann, something to note is that he lacks some of the natural creativity you might expect from a high-end forward and seems to be more comfortable generating scoring chances off the rush.

———-

7. Oshawa Generals – D Jacob Middleton

The Generals have lacked a dominating force on the defensive end for a few years now, and they will look to rectify that problem by adding one of the true blue-chip defensemen in the draft. Middleton is an impressive player who will be ready to make an impact as a Top-4 defenseman out of training camp. With great natural size, Middleton is a very strong skater and is very adept at leading the rush. He moves the puck very efficiently and displays a strong ability to identify passing lanes and make good decisions. He is effective in defensive zone coverage and his physical style of play will allow him to play against OHL forwards as a 16-year-old. Offensive upside is there, but Middleton will probably be eased into that role as he gets his feet wet.

———-

8. Owen Sound Attack – LW Sam Bennett

Assuming Middleton is off the board at this point, the Attack have no choice but to draft the best player available rather than selecting a defenseman out of positional need. Bennett is a great pickup at 8 and as a York-Simcoe product (prior to the Marlies), he should have no issues reporting. Bennett went unnoticed at times this season on a strong Marlies team, but there’s no denying the fact that he has all the tools to be a strong offensive player in the OHL. Bennett is a strong skater with good size who is very opportunistic and always seems to get into the right places. He has a good shot and displays strong finishing ability and should be able to contribute immediately.

———-

9. Kingston Frontenacs (Compensation Pick) – LC Michael Dal Colle

After picking up the best defenseman in the draft, Kingston will look up front for a forward who can play on the Top 3 lines next season. While things are less bleak with the additions of Ryan Kujawinski, Billy Jenkins, and Trevor Morbeck, there is still a need to add some secondary scoring. Dal Colle is a bit of an enigma at times, as he has unquestionable talent, but it doesn’t seem like the drive is always there. When he’s on, Dal Colle is a magician with the puck and is extremely dangerous from the hashmarks in. Skating is a bit of an issue as he will need to dedicate time to improving his first few steps, but his style would compare to a poor man’s John Tavares – which is still pretty darn good.

———-

10. Belleville Bulls – C Brook Hiddink

Belleville continues to lack natural offensive talent and will be looking to add a forward who can contribute offensively next season. Hiddink is a very good skater and should excel on the big ice at Yardman Arena. While slightly undersized, Hiddink is a competitive player who works hard and does the little things well. Hiddink has strong vision and has good hockey sense which will help him make up for a lack of size at the OHL level. Hiddink may be a stretch as a Top 10 pick, but he had very little to work with this season and still managed to be a dynamic offensive player.

———-

11. Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – RW/LW Jaden Lindo

Lindo would be a great fit for James Boyd’s system as he is an extremely hard working forward who understands how to play the game in all three zones. Lindo is physically ready for the OHL and is a very good skater which should allow him to play in the Top 9 right out of training camp. He’s not as offensively polished as some of the other forwards in this crop, but Lindo has tremendous determination and through his willingness to win battles, he creates scoring opportunities as a result of his work ethic and drive. Lindo has been rising all season and if he continues to improve at this clip moving forward, he could be a big-time steal in this draft.

———-

12. Saginaw Spirit – D Dylan Di Perna

With a couple of defensemen set to graduate and most of their 2011 picks spent on forwards, Saginaw will look to add a quality defenseman with their 1st round pick in 2012. While the 1st round is a little light on defensive talent, Di Perna is a quality defenseman who projects to be a player who can contribute at both ends of the ice. Defensively he is very solid and is rarely caught out of position. Di Perna also shows good offensive upside and should be a player who is more than capable of quarterbacking a powerplay. If Di Perna can find a way to be more consistent and avoid making poor decisions, he should be a very good defenseman in the OHL and someone with strong NHL upside.

———-

13. Sarnia Sting – D Patrick Sanvido

Sanvido is far from polished, but he has as much upside as anyone in the draft. The 6-foot-5 defenseman is a tremendous skater and has the projectable skills that could make him a top pairing defenseman throughout his OHL career. Sanvido is extremely strong and will have absolutely no issues with the physical transition to the OHL. He is more than willing to engage physically and will be use his size as an asset at the next level as well. Sanvido’s offensive game has a lot of room to grow, and his decision making is very average at this point. Sanvido will probably have some growing pains adjusting to the speed of the OHL, but if he can put it all together, he will be a great pick for Sarnia.

———-

14. Sudbury Wolves – D Jonathan Duchesne

With extremely high expectations, Duchesne failed to show very much sign of improvement this year which is a concern to OHL teams. With that being said, the good news is that he likely wouldn’t have had any issue logging a regular shift in the OHL at age 15 with his style of play. Duchesne is a prototypical stay-at-home physical type defender. He has a man’s body and is an above average skater who has a powerful stride and good lateral ability. The concerns are that his upside may not be much greater than where he’s at now and his offensive game and decision making may never come around. His style is actually quite comparable to Justin Sefton’s and he could be a nice piece of Sudbury’s defense for the next 4 years as they look to fill some holes on the backend.

———-

15. Brampton Battalion – RW Brett Hargrave

Hargrave would be a good fit with the Battalion as he is a big body who projects to be a potential power forward with 30-goal upside. Hargrave was inconsistent throughout the season but showed flashes of dominance in his best games. Aside from his natural size, Hargrave has good mobility and can mix it up when he wants. He handles the puck well and has a good release and while his offensive game will take time to develop, he could develop into a very solid 1st liner in the OHL. Having him in the lineup would also be an enticing option for the Battalion who could build their forward corps around him and fellow power forward Brandon Robinson.

———-

16. Barrie Colts – RW/C Dante Salituro

Salituro is one of top snipers available in this draft and is a player who flat out knows how to score goals. He has an exceptional release and is extremely dangerous from the slot and around the net. Salituro does a good job of creating shooting lanes and never hesitates when he has an opportunity to get a shot off. Salituro is very undersized, so there will be a transition period as he adapts to the OHL, but if he is able to continue to improve his skating and strength, he should develop into a very good offensive forward at the OHL level.

———-

17. Kitchener Rangers – LW/RW Jeremiah Addison

When he’s on, Addison is a dominant forward who is on par with any of the high-end forwards in the draft. Like so many players at this age, however, Addison really struggles with consistency and is prone to going through lulls of 2-3 games where he is rendered ineffective. Addison is a strong forward who is a very good skater with dynamic ability off the rush. He does a good job of making power moves and can be difficult to stop when he’s in full motion. He has a good shot and has the ability to drive the net with authority which makes him such an intriguing player if he is able to find consistency and bring it every game.

———-

18. Ottawa 67’s – RW/LW Matt Schmaltz

Schmaltz is far from being a sure thing, but his potential is very intriguing as he has all the tools to be an impact forward in the OHL, it’s just a matter of putting them together. With great size, Schmaltz is a very strong skater and can generate opportunities with his speed and ability to break down defenses. He loves to rush the puck and is most effective when he is willing to use his speed to move up and down the wing. While the potential is there, Schmaltz is still a project, but he’s the type of challenge that the 67’s have not been scared of in the past.

———-

19. Plymouth Whalers – C Dylan Larkin

Larkin is committed to the University of Michigan, but there are whispers that the OHL could still be in play. With a great track record of developing forwards, Plymouth may be the team that can lure Larkin to the OHL and may be willing to make that risk as they’re looking for impact players who can help their team next year. Larkin still needs to fill out, but the talent is all there. He’s one of the better skaters in the draft which would be an asset to him next season. He does a good job of breaking down defenses with his speed and shows good vision and strong hockey sense offensively.

———-

20. Niagara Ice Dogs (Compensation Pick) – G Liam Herbst

With Mark Visentin graduating, it’s no surprise that Niagara would love to have Liam Herbst as the heir apparent. Herbst was outstanding with the Mississauga Rebels this season and saved the best for last with an outstanding performance at the OHL Cup. Herbst is a big goaltender who is positionally sound and shows a continued ability to make athletic saves. He has good rebound control and can make the big save when his team needs it. Herbst did go through stretches where he struggled, and he will need to work on improving his ability to square up. It should be also noted that his glove hand and blocker are not outstanding and he is prone to being beaten high.

———-

21. Niagara Ice Dogs – LW Damien Bourne

The Ice Dogs are fortunate to pick back-to-back and may be enticed by Bourne’s potential if he’s still on the board. Like Hargrave, Bourne had some great games this year, and also struggled to find an identity for much of the season. He’s got tremendous size, shows flashes of offensive upside, and has the tools that scream power forward, but just hasn’t been able to make it all work. Bourne may have a tough first year in the OHL, but if he is dedicated to improving his game, he’s got a chance to be a quality Top 6 forward with NHL upside.

———-

22. London Knights – F Ryan MacInnis

With a talented group of 94’s and 95’s, London can afford a risky pick with Ryan MacInnis, who is one of the premier talents in the ’96 crop. MacInnis is somewhat raw, but he’s got tremendous upside to be a big-time offensive forward. MacInnis skates well, sees the ice well, and is a very creative forward. He does a good job of buying time and finding passing lanes and will continue to improve in that regard. Physically he is still coming into his own, but he competes hard and demonstrates a willingness to finish checks. MacInnis still needs to find consistency, but if London can get him to report, he’ll only add to a wicked group of forwards that the Knights have stockpiled on their roster.

———-

Nathan MacKinnon has been nothing short of spectacular in his rookie season.

The Mooseheads finished 6th in the league standings and for many people, have over achieved. They have received exceptional goaltending from a 16-year-old while other 16-year-old’s are contributing up front. They are expected to make a push for the QMJHL title in the 2012-2013 season after these players all have a Q season under their belt along with a little bit of playoff experience.

The team known as the “Herd” is lead by 16-year-old power forward Nathan MacKinnon who has been tearing up hockey leagues since he first laced up the skates. He put up 200 points playing Atom hockey and had seasons of 110 points and 145 points playing Bantam AAA which was the highest level of hockey for a player of his age. The comparisons to Sidney Crosby have been discussed in many hockey circles, and while MacKinnon probably isn’t at that calibre, he’s an exceptional talent in his own right.

The phenom has not disappointed Mooseheads fans in his first QMJHL season, finishing just 7 points back of 17-year-old Mikhail Grigorenko in the rookie scoring race with 31 goals and 78 points. You have to look beyond the score sheet to full appreciate what Nathan brings to the table, however. He has the speed to create breakaways, the skill to score highlight-reel goals, the hockey sense to make tic-tac-toe like plays and the grit to score garbage goals. At 5-foot-11, Mackinnon is already relied upon to take all important faceoffs in all zones of the ice. He’s going to put up a fight to be drafted 1st overall in 2013 and the scary part is, if he was born just over two weeks later he wouldn’t be draft eligible until 2014.

The draft-eligible talent in Halifax doesn’t end there. Jonathan Drouin was taken 2nd overall in the 2011 QMJHL Entry Draft and although undersized, Drouin is a tremendous offensive talent. It took a lot of coaxing to bring him to Halifax, and after some well-documented struggles, Drouin’s mid-season arrival injected some offensive depth into the lineup. A 5-foot-11 winger, Drouin tallied 7 goals and 29 points in only 33 points and quickly established himself as one of the top 95’s in the league. Drouin has a deceptive release, smooth hands, and if he can mature physically, he will certainly contend to be a 1st or 2nd round pick in 2013.

And let’s not forget about Zachary Fucale, who has been one of the biggest revelations in the QMJHL this season. A native of Rosemere, Que., Fucule was selected 11th overall in 2011 and has proven why he was the first goalie taken. After starting the year as a backup goalie, Fucale has taken over the starting reigns after Anthony Terenzio suffered a season-ending concussion back in mid-October. Fucale has gone on to have an extremely promising season, posting a 3.16 GAA and .892SV% while appearing in 58 games this year. Fucale even managed to set a QMJHL record for wins by a 16-year-old goaltender, with his 32 wins eclipsing the previous mark of 27 which was established by Olivier Roy in 2007.

In addition to being busy in the crease with Halifax, Fucale also represented Team Quebec at the 2012 U17 World Championships where he started 5 games for his province. Fortunately, Fucale has shown no ill effects of the heavy workload this season and continues to exceed expectations without showing any signs of fatigue. While next year will be a big one for him, you have to peg him as a potential first round pick in 2013 after this strong showing and with a better squad returning to Halifax next year, Fucale will have every opportunity to improve his draft stock.

The Metro Center in Halifax will be full of scouts for Mooseheads games next year when theses 3 special players play their sophomore season. If everything goes well they will be dropping their jaws play after play until mid-May.

Connolly has spent the entire season in the NHL as he is not eligible to play in the AHL due to his age.

Steve Yzerman won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings and has since become the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He said players who have been drafted into the NHL and have three years of CHL experience should be allowed to play in the AHL.

As the rules currently stand, anyone who is drafted into the NHL from the CHL cannot be assigned to the AHL until they are 20 years of age.

What Yzerman is proposing would allow players to join the AHL a year earlier.

As the sixth overall pick in 2010, Brett Connolly was the first ever draft selection Yzerman made. Yzerman has kept Connolly, 19, with the Lightning all season rather than returning him to his WHL team, the Prince George Cougars. Connolly, who was a prolific scorer in junior, has struggled to produce offensively in the NHL. He has just 11 points in 53 games for the Lightning, and is averaging less than 11 minutes per game.

Yzerman said players like Connolly would be better served playing professionally in the AHL rather than struggling to keep up in the NHL.

“We’re not trying to raid junior hockey, but we look at Brett, he’s played in junior hockey for three years,” Yzerman said during an interview with the Vancouver Sun on Feb. 3. “Part of the reason we wanted to keep him is we felt like it was time to play against stronger competition and at a higher pace.”

Hockey analyst and scout Craig Button said he disagrees with Yzerman’s position that players with three years junior experience should be permitted to play in the AHL. Button said he felt it would be detrimental to player development if the proposal went through.

“It is an age-old proposal that has been made numerous times over the years. The CHL would have a big problem if this came about,” said Button. “The AHL is a league that requires lots of maturity and the vast majority of 19-year-olds are not ready. I prefer letting kids mature amongst their peer group. You can’t speed up maturity.”

Scott Campbell, creator and managing editor of The Scouting Report, agreed with Button that it would be bad for business if the CHL allowed its top players to play in the AHL. Campbell said removing the most talented players from the junior ranks would ruin the product of the CHL.

“By stripping CHL rosters of 19-year-old players the CHL would be losing their top players, which has strong ripple effects to consider,” said Campbell. “Suddenly, the league is more watered-down, less talented and would see the cyclical nature of the league further impacted as more and more players would only become two-year guys. The CHL is big business and the owners will never agree to a rule change that will essentially gut the league of its top players.”

However, Campbell notes the CHL is the only league from which players cannot graduate to the AHL at age 18 or 19. Players drafted from Europe, for example, have the option of joining their NHL team’s AHL affiliate. The NHL club must decide if it is in the player’s best interests to make the transition to North America sooner than later.

Drafted 60th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Tomas Tatar joined the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins the following season.

Tatar said he experienced some difficulties when he first came to play for the Griffins, but felt overcoming those difficulties was worth it to be able to continue his career in the AHL, rather than the Slovakian ExtraLiga.

“It was kind of tough. I didn’t really speak English at the time and the hockey style is kind of different back in Europe,” said Tatar. “It was kind of a tough change, but I made it and I’m happy and I was glad I did it that early.”

Tatar agrees with Button that physical maturity is a key to success when playing against much older competition. Strengthening his body is something Tatar has worked on since coming to North America.

“The game is way more physical and I’m not sure if I was 100 per cent prepared for the league because my weight wasn’t that high and I wasn’t that strong at the time,” said Tatar. “It was pretty tough.”

With the NHL’s CBA set to expire at the end of this season, there will be plenty of issues to work out. If Steve Yzerman has his way, young Canadian hockey players will have another option available to them.

Henrik Samuelsson has been very effective since coming to Edmonton from MODO in Sweden.

D Griffin Reinhart
After a slow start to the year, Reinhart has picked up his play over the last 2 months, putting him back on track as a surefire 1st rounder. Reinhart’s game, on the surface, is one where people will salivate over his stature and abilities with the puck. Away from the puck, however, is an area that needs continued development in order for him to eventually realize that potential at the NHL level. While some would hope he develops a more physical aspect of his game, his overall game has is what’s enticing to those looking for a player with size, skating ability, and some good offensive potential.

RW/C Henrik Samuelsson
Samuelsson has come to the Oil Kings and has fit in very nicely thus far. Samuelsson’s big frame compliments the smaller stature skilled forwards the Oil Kings have and adds an element to their lineup they were sorely missing. Offensively, he doesn’t have the flair that many of the offensive forwards in this draft have, but his value as a big body in front of the net and someone will who go to the dirty areas is of tremendous value. He’s already been suspended twice so far in his short WHL career, but the grit and size he brings to the lineup makes him a very interesting player for NHL teams. With a strong showing in the playoffs, expect Samuelsson to continue to ascend up the draft rankings.

D Cody Corbett
Corbett, in my eyes, is a player that isn’t getting enough recognition from the scouting world. He has all the tools to be a #1 Dman in the NHL if he can refine his offensive game to put up a few more points without having to sacrifice any of his defensive game. He’s very comfortable with the puck, has a very hard shot, and just needs to work on placing his shot better. I believe the ability to put up points is there, but on a defense as deep as the Oil Kings have, it’s tough for him to get power play time. Defensively he is very reliable. Positionally sound, keeps the play in front of him, knows when to engage the puck carrier. Knows when to throw a hit and knows when to go for the pokecheck. All of these little things makes him a fantastic defender and a player who could be an excellent pick for an NHL team.

D Ashton Sautner
Sautner is a player that is very quiet in his approach but defensively is solid as he rarely has defensive lapses on the ice. Limited offensive upside keeps him from being a prospect like Corbett but he does the little things very well. First passes, ability to handle the forecheck, and separating player from puck are just some of the skills he brings. Just like the rest of the Oil Kings defense, he keeps the puck moving forward. I expect Sautner to be a later round pick, and for a team that takes him there would be a good value pick.

LW Mitchell Moroz
Of the 5 players listed here, Moroz is the biggest project but could have a big reward if he’s able to put it altogether. On the Oil Kings as of right now, he is the tenacious pugilist playing a limited role as a 4th line energy player. He has shown glimpses this year of scoring some goals that strong power forwards usually score either by taking the puck strong to the net or taking a hard shot from the outside. Moroz could be a player that, with an opportunity, could be a refined power forward. He needs to work on his skating but as a 17-year-old is already very strong. I see a team taking a late round flyer on Moroz.

Peter Quenneville was ranked 150th by NHL Central Scouting in their North American Mid-Term Rankings.

Simply put, Quenneville is the real deal. As a 17-year-old this season, Quenneville finished in 3rd place in the AJHL scoring race and was nothing short of spectacular this season. Currently slated to head off to Connecticut where he will eventually join Quinnipiac, Quenneville is a player that Bobcats fans can get very excited about. The thing that I really noticed about his game that generally wouldn’t be noticed is how he plays the game with such ease and does a great job of outsmarting the opposition.

Despite being a smaller player, Quenneville is very elusive and does a great job of finding open space on the ice. Despite showing a willingness to compete, Quenneville avoids big hits and as a result, has shown impressive durability throughout the season. Offensively, he has great patience and controls the pace of the game very well. Has a tremendous shot and a quick release that makes him a threat inside the offensive zone as well. Skating needs to improve as Quenneville will need to add another gear to play at the next level due to his size, and Quenneville will also need to do a better job of managing his shift lengths which will come as he matures as a player.

’94 G Matt Tomkins – Sherwood Park Crusaders
NHLCS: 15th, North American Goalies
Property of: Vancouver Giants

If I could find 1 word to sum up the play of the Crusaders rookie goalie, that word would be: Battle. Tomkins has great lateral movement and does a great job of basing his style around his ability to cover the net. Rebound control is average, as Tomkins does a good job of absorbing pucks into his upper body, but his ability to control rebounds on lower shots is a concern. That’s where his ability to battle comes in, however, as Tomkins does a good job fighting for space in the net and making recovery saves that other goalies cannot replicate. Tomkins tracks the puck well and does a good job managing angles and squaring up to shooters, but his technique will need refinement as his hands are not great for a goaltender.

’92 C Carson Cooper – Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Property of: Vancouver Giants (protected)
Committed to: Yale University

The Oil Barons captain is set to take his game to the Ivy League with Yale University next season. Cooper is a centreman that plays a very good 2 way game and is equally effective in the defensive zone as he is offensively. Cooper competes hard and never takes a shift off, leading by example as a player who generally works the hardest on his team. He’s a good skater and his speed should serve him well playing in the NCAA over the next 4 seasons.

’93 D Colton Parayko – Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Committed to: University of Alaska-Fairbanks

At 6-foot-4, Colton Parayko is one of the biggest players in the AJHL and he’s not afraid to use his size to his advantage. The St. Albert, Alta. native is one of the most physical players in the league and combined with his long reach and defensive positioning, he’s also one of the top defensive defensemen in the league. Skating is a bit of an issue, as Parayko has an awkward long stride that probably lacks catchup speed at the NCAA level, but he does a good job on getting by with what he has. Parayko does have a rocket of a shot and has shown some nice offensive production this season as one of the top scoring AJHL defensemen.

Rhett Holland is considered to be the top 2012 NHL Draft prospect playing in the AJHL right now.

Playing on a blue-line that has a lot of depth in Okotoks, Holland has the luxury of not having to be depended on to carry the team. As a result, Holland is able to play his style of game and do the things that he’s effective at. Holland is a very physical defenseman and does a good job in defensive zone coverage with an active stick. When he’s on his game, Holland limits the time and space of opposing forwards and does a good job maintaining strong gap control. His strong defensive presence also forces a lot of turnovers as he does a good job of anticipating the play and getting into passing lanes. Holland still needs to work on his overall game and play within his means, but as an NCAA commit with 3-4 years to develop before needing to be signed, Holland is probably worth a late-round pick at this point.

’94 D Robert Hamilton – Okotoks Oilers
Committed to: University of Vermont

The green and gold of the University of Vermont will welcome Hamilton with open arms if he continues the strong play he’s shown with Okotoks. The Calgary, Alta. native is in his first full season with the Oilers and unlike his teammate Rhett Holland, I feel that Hamilton has a better overall game. The part of the game that sets him apart from others is the way he sees the ice and how defensively sound he is. Although he isn’t as offensively minded as other defensemen, he has a powerful slapshot and consistently makes good decisions with the puck. The area of his game that I would like to see him improve is his skating as it’s very average at this point and is an area that needs to be improved. Hamilton is a little undersized at 5-foot-10 170lbs, but the 18-year-old might attract some NHL interest in June.

’95L C Luke Philip – Canmore Eagles
Property of: Kootenay Ice (protected player)

Although he is not draft eligible until 2014, Luke Philip will start to turn heads in the next couple of years with his impressive array of offensive skills. The 16-year-old Canmore native led his team in points this season and was consistently the team’s best player night in and night out this season. For a young player, Philip has exceptional hockey sense and a strong understanding of the game. He understands how to utilize open ice and is very opportunistic off the rush.

Undersized at 5-foot-9 165lbs, Philip was a 3rd round draft pick of the Kootenay Ice and has played 8 games with the WHL squad thus far this season. Philip projects to be a very capable offensive forward in the WHL down the road as he is very smooth with the puck and has a great offensive skill-set. Philip is also very good in the faceoff circle and his defensive game should continue to improve as he gets stronger. As a capable skater, Philip is already able to handle playing against older and stronger competition, and as his strength continues to improve, he will only become more effective as a player.

RJ Gicewicz was a member of the US U17 team that won Gold at the 2011 Five Nations Tournament.

RJ Gicewicz is a smooth skating 16-year-old defenseman from Orchard Park who is one of the top 95’s from the state of New York. Standing at 6-foot, 178lbs, Gicewicz is a strong defenseman who plays a very composed game on the backend. A sophomore at the prestigious Nichols School, Gicewicz is having another strong year with his high school team as well as the Buffalo Saints 18U team and is attracting attention from USA Hockey, USHL teams, and high-end Division 1 NCAA schools.

During the off-season, Gicewicz was selected to the attend the USA Hockey 16U National Development Camp and went on to be chosen to represent the United States as part of the U17 Select Team which was a participant at the Five Nations Tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich. last fall. Gicewicz said it was a tremendous experience to be able to don the stars and stripes.

“It was a thrill and honor to represent the USA, Western New York and the Nichols school,” Gicewicz said.

Ultimately, Team USA beat the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland to take home the Gold Medal at the tournament.

After a successful summer campaign, RJ’s commitment is on his academics, strength, conditioning, and further improving and developing his hockey skills. He earned Honors status in his first trimester this year at Nichols and has no shortage of bloodlines working in his favour. RJ comes from a family of academic athletes with his father being a former Michigan State University Rose Bowl Champion and NFL player, his grandfather being a 3 sport varsity captain at the University of Buffalo and a WNY Sports Hall of Fame inductee, his other grandfather is a retired professional golfer, he has much to keep him motivated on and off the ice, not to mention a younger brother, Carson (6’ 2”), coming up through the 14U age group.

“This is a long process. I am committed to the hard work and dedication involved in developing and progressing as a student athlete and hockey player and am taking this one step at a time,” Gicewicz said.

Nathan Billitier is the youngest player in the EJHL this season and is regarded as one of the top '96's in the United States.

The hockey development system in Western New York (WNY) is a work in progress with several junior programs in the area, including: the Buffalo Jr. Sabers, Buffalo Stars, Buffalo Blades, Rochester Stars, and Maksymum Hockey. The competition has all of these programs doing their best building player development and graduating many highly skilled players to OHL, USHL, NAHL, prep schools, and college commitments.

Development movements in many organizations have taken place in order to provide a feeder system for most Junior programs but High School Hockey in the area seems to have hindered efforts with very few full season 16U programs with the exception of the Buffalo Regals and the newly formed 16U Rochester Monarchs. With USA Hockey’s movement toward eliminating 15 & 16 year olds from the junior feeder teams it will be much more important for the junior programs to promote a strong 15U, 16U & 18U teams within their organization.

This season the Buffalo Jr Sabers have aligned with the Buffalo Regals to promote elite player development with the hopes of building a top Junior A organization keeping WNY Hockey talent at home. In similar fashion, the Rochester Stars have developed a development system with its EJHL team. In the past, many top players have left the area for prep school, USHL, NAHL and other options to further their prospective hockey careers. WNY players featured here are from prep schools and local Junior Hockey Programs.

With all the feeder adjustments going on, some programs may have a tough road ahead unless the focus becomes on player development from bottom to top and attempting to eliminate player movement from one organization to another.

Rochester Stars (EJHL)

Dylan Shapiro, a native of Penfield, N.Y. Committed to UMass Lowell Riverhawks. 1993 birth year. 6’3″ 185 pds. Long reach. Smooth skater. Selected to 2011-2012 EJHL All Star game. Tied for lead on team with 6 goals and 18 assts for 24 pts in 37 league games.

Gordon Ceasar, a native of Oak Park Calf. 6’2″ 180 lbs. 91 birth year goalie. selected to 2011-12 EJHL all star game. Gordon is a very athletic goalie that takes up a ton of net. He is tied for 2nd in league with a .920 save percentage.

Nathan Billitier, a native of Spencerport N.Y. ’96 birth year 5’10″ 175 lbs.
The youngest player in EJHL with excellent skating ability, a Nik Lidstrom type of defenseman . Nathan was selected to USA Hockey 16U winter Olympics in Jan 2012 traveling with team to Austria. He was also selected to 40 player tryout for USA Hockey NTDP program. A strong prospect.

Phillips Exeter Academy (Prep-NH)

Mackenzie Flaherty, a native of Farmington N.Y. the ’95 birth year player is a 6’-3” 216lb defenseman is his second year at Phillips Exeter. He is a determined smooth skater with a physical presence that all his teammates rely on. He is a very hard working player that is continually working on his development on and off the ice. He aspires to be an NCAA D-1 player which is a very strong possibility according to his coach Dana Barbin due to his work ethic, physical presence, and battle ready attitude. The Phillips Exeter Academy team is presently 16-1-2

Avon Old Farms (Prep-CT)

Thomas Dockery, a native of Lockport N.Y. the 95 birth year player Coming from the Buffalo Regals 16U program he is a first year player at Avon Old Farms.