The month of December is here and along with it is Future Considerations’ ranking for the 2014 NHL Draft.

Like every month, some prospects rose and some fell, and to analyze in a little more detail how the first round looks this month, here’s a breakdown of the representation across several categories in the ranking.

BY COUNTRY

Perennial hockey powerhouse Canada leads the pack again this month with 15 of the 30 prospects, including the top two and 11 of the top 14 players. The number is a slight improvement on last month, which saw 14 Canadians ranked in Top 30. Seven American players – one more than last month – make up the second largest contingent while Sweden lands third with three skaters ranked.

Finland is represented by two players while Russia, Denmark and Germany have only one representative respectively.

As mentioned Canada has a heavy representation in the top-10 with eight players – the other two top-10 ranked prospects hail from Sweden and Germany.

BY LEAGUE

It’s all Ontario Hockey League early as the league sees nine of it’s players enlisted in the top-30 this month – though one less than last month – while the WHL comes in second with seven skaters. Six players are ranked that play in international leagues as well.

There are then four USHL players along with one QMJHL skaters and an NCAA goaltender round out the top 30.

BY POSITION

At this point, it becomes a little convoluted by position as centers lead the pack with nine, but defensemen are hot on their tail with eight representatives. The left and right wingers come close after at seven and five respectively. Only one goaltender is ranked within the top-30 in December.

To view Future Considerations’ December ranking, click HERE.