There’s a new No. 1 in Future Considerations’ November ranking for the 2014 NHL Draft.
Barrie Colts defenseman Aaron Ekblad has overtaken Kootenay Ice forward Sam Reinhart as Future Considerations’ top prospect in 2014. The 6-foot-4 Ekblad is off to an impressive start in Barrie, recording six goals and seven assists in 18 games.
Reinhart hasn’t struggled by any means with nine goals and 28 points in 16 games, but Ekblad’s rise goes well beyond statistics.
“Ekblad has continually developed so many facets of his game from last season that this move was an easy decision for our staff,” scouting director Dan Stewart said. “Out west, Reinhart has put up a ton of points with Kootenay but his overall game has not progressed as much as we have hoped, leading to the change in rankings between the two.”
Sam Bennett, ranked fifth a month ago, has leapfrogged both Rogle’s William Nylander and Leon Draisaitl of the Prince Albert Raiders and into third spot on Future Considerations’ list. The 17-year-old Bennett has been exceptional for the Kingston Frontenacs and has 10 goals and 22 points in 14 games this season.
“Bennett has done nothing but impress our evaluators since last season when he was a thin but highly motivated rookie winger with Kingston,” Stewart said. “He has taken his strong two-way game to the next level and now needs to be considered an elite level talent for the 2014 NHL Draft.”
Michael Dal Colle of the Oshawa Generals remains in the sixth spot in the ranking, while Calgary Hitmen forward Jake Virtanen has improved to seventh. Nick Ritchie of the Peterborough Petes, Roland McKeown of the Frontenacs and Red Deer Rebels defenseman Haydn Fleury round out Future Considerations’ Top-10.
Rank / Pos. / Name / Team / League / Ht / Wt /
1). D Aaron Ekblad, Barrie (OHL), 6-4, 215
2). C Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (WHL), 6-1, 185
3). LW Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL), 6-0, 180
4). C William Nylander, Rogle (Allsvenskan), 5-11, 170
5). C Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert (WHL), 6-2, 210
6). C Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa (OHL), 6-2, 180
7). C Jake Virtanen, Calgary (WHL), 6-1, 210
8). LW Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL), 6-2, 230
9). D Roland McKeown, Kingston (OHL), 6-1, 200
10). D Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL), 6-3, 200
11). LW Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL), 6-2, 205
12). LW Ivan Barbashev, Moncton (QMJHL), 6-1, 185
13). C Jared McCann, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), 6-0, 180
14). RW Conner Bleackley, Red Deer (WHL), 6-1, 195
15). RW Anton Karlsson, Frolunda J20 (SuperElit), 6-1, 190
16). RW David Pastrnak, Sodertalje (Allsvenskan), 6-0, 170
17). RW Kasperi Kapanen, KalPa (SM-Liiga), 5-11, 170
18). C Adrian Kempe, Modo J20 (SuperElit), 6-2, 190
19). LW Spencer Watson, Kingston (OHL), 5-10, 165
20). LW Sonny Milano, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 5-11, 185
21). D Brycen Martin, Swift Current (WHL), 6-2, 185
22). D Julius Honka, Swift Current (WHL), 5-10, 170
23). C Dylan Larkin, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6-1, 190
24). G Thatcher Demko, Boston College (NCAA), 6-4, 180
25). D Anthony DeAngelo, Sarnia (OHL), 5-11, 175
26). C Jakub Vrana, Linkoping J20 (SuperElit), 5-11, 185
27). LW Nikolaj Ehlers, Halifax (QMJHL), 5-11, 165
28). C Nick Schmaltz, Green Bay (USHL), 5-11, 170
29). D Jack Dougherty, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6-1, 185
30). RW Nikolay Goldobin, Sarnia (OHL), 6-0, 175