Aaron Ekblad has successfully defended his title.
Overtaking Sam Reinhart for top spot in Future Considerations’ ranking for the 2014 NHL Draft a month ago, the 17-year-old Ekblad remains a top the chart in December. The Barrie Colts defenseman has been superb this season in Ontario Hockey League action. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound rearguard has nine goals and 23 points in 26 games this season.
“Ekblad has continued to play his steady game as he leads the Colts,” scouting director Dan Stewart said. “He contributes offensively both at five-on-five and as the point man with the booming shot on the power play all the while improving his play in his own zone over the last month.”
Reinhart remains in second place behind Ekblad.
Prince Albert Raiders center Leon Draisaitl has jumped into top-3 consideration after continually impressing this season. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Cologne, German native has ripped apart the Western Hockey League, recording 15 goals and 27 assists in 42 games.
“Although the top of this draft is considered pretty fluid, Draisaitl has started to really push himself to the forefront and is now considered a real threat to Sam Reinhart as top WHL prospect,” Stewart said. “After a strong month of November, Draisatl has forced us to boost his ranking as a result.”
Swedish pivot William Nylander, who has consistently been ranked in the top-5 all year, sits fourth, one spot ahead Kingston Frontenacs forward Sam Bennett.
Oshawa Generals forward Michael Dal Colle remains sixth, while Brendan Perlini continues his climb, making his debut in the top-10 at seven. Nick Ritchie, Haydn Fleury and Roland McKeown — the second of two Frontenacs in the top-10 — are also ranked in the upper-end o the first round.
FC’s December ranking for 2014 NHL Draft
1). D Aaron Ekblad, Barrie (OHL), 6-4, 215
2). C Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (WHL), 6-1, 185
3). C Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert (WHL), 6-2, 210
4). C William Nylander, Rogle (Allsvenskan), 5-11, 170
5). LW Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL), 6-0, 180
6). C Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa (OHL), 6-2, 180
7). LW Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL), 6-2, 205
8). LW Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL), 6-2, 230
9). D Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL), 6-3, 200
10). D Roland McKeown, Kingston (OHL), 6-1, 200
11). LW Ivan Barbashev, Moncton (QMJHL), 6-1, 185
12). C Jared McCann, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), 6-0, 180
13). C Jake Virtanen, Calgary (WHL), 6-1, 210
14). RW Conner Bleackley, Red Deer (WHL), 6-1, 195
15). LW Nikolaj Ehlers, Halifax (QMJHL), 5-11, 165
16). RW Kasperi Kapanen, KalPa (SM-Liiga), 5-11, 170
17). LW Sonny Milano, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 5-11, 185
18). C Dylan Larkin, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6-1, 190
19). RW Anton Karlsson, Frolunda J20 (SuperElit), 6-1, 190
20). C Nick Schmaltz, Green Bay (USHL), 5-11, 170
21). RW David Pastrnak, Sodertalje (Allsvenskan), 6-0, 170
22). G Thatcher Demko, Boston College (NCAA), 6-4, 180
23). C Adrian Kempe, Modo J20 (SuperElit), 6-2, 190
24). D Brycen Martin, Swift Current (WHL), 6-2, 185
25). C Jakub Vrana, Linkoping J20 (SuperElit), 5-11, 185
26). D Jack Dougherty, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6-1, 185
27). D Anthony DeAngelo, Sarnia (OHL), 5-11, 175
28). LW Spencer Watson, Kingston (OHL), 5-10, 165
29). D Julius Honka, Swift Current (WHL), 5-10, 170
30). D Jack Glover, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6-3, 190