Compher finished third in scoring for the National Team Development Program and tops in points-per-game with 10 goals and 21 points in 24 games. He is the top-ranked prospect on the United States entry at 27th in Future Considerations’ March Ranking for the 2013 NHL Draft.

The six-foot, 161-pound forward will be joined by a slough of potential first rounders in the 2013 draft.

Keaton Thompson, among the top-30 in February’s ranking, headlines a defense that also features Tommy Vannelli and Steven Santini – both ranked in the second round at FC’s Midterm.

Hudson Fasching, Tyler Motte and Sean Malone were also ranked in the top-100 at the Midterm.

GOALTENDERS: Thatcher Demko, Hunter Miska, Blake Weyrick

DEFENSEMEN: Gage Ausmus, Will Butcher, Connor Clifton, Clint Lewis, Steven Santini, Keaton Thompson, Tommy Vannelli

FORWARDS: Evan Allen, JT Compher, Dawson Cook, Jake Eichel, Shane Eiserman, Hudson Fasching, John Hayden, Tyler Kelleher, Kevin Labanc, Anthony Louis, Sean Malone, Michael McCarron, Tyler Motte

Lotz, along with Hunter Garlent of the Guelph Storm, were added to Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team training camp roster and will travel to Sochi to participate pre-U18 World Championship games. Lotz joins Philippe Desrosiers and Spencer Martin between the pipes.

In 42 games with the Silvertips this season, Lotz posted a 15-19-4 record, 3.37 goals-against average and .907 save percentage. Everett was eliminated from the WHL Playoffs in six games by Portland.

Garlent will join a forward core that boasts the likes of Jason Dickinson, Frederik Gauthier and Morgan Klimchuk. The five-foot-eight, 165-pound forward had 12 goals and 31 points in 50 games.

Canada’s camp roster now sits at three goaltenders, seven defensemen and 13 forwards.

GOALIES: Philippe Desrosiers, Rimouski (QMJHL); Austin Lotz, Everett (WHL); Spencer Martin, Mississauga (OHL)

DEFENCMEN: Dillon Heatherington, Swift Current (WHL); Joe Hicketts, Victoria (WHL); Dylan Labbe, Shawinigan (QMJHL); Darnell Nurse^, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL); Roland McKeown, Kingston (OHL); Samuel Morin, Rimouski (QMJHL); Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert (WHL); Shea Theodore, Seattle (WHL)

FORWARDS: Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL); Clark Bishop, Cape Breton (QMJHL), Laurent Dauphin, Chicoutimi (QMJHL); Jason Dickinson, Guelph (OHL); Hunter Garlent, Guelph (OHL); Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski (QMJHL); Yan-Pavel Laplante, PEI (QMJHL); Morgan Klimchuk, Regina (WHL); Connor McDavid, Erie (OHL); Alexis Pepin, PEI (QMJHL); Brayden Point, Moose Jaw (WHL); Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (WHL); Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL).

Hagg represented Sweden at the 2013 World Junior Championship, recording a goal and an assist in five games as a late replacement to help Sweden to a silver medal finish. The 18-year-old is 20th in Future Considerations March ranking for the 2013 NHL Draft.

Burakovsky, ranked 29th, had four goals and 11 points in 43 games for Malmo this season.

Jacob de la Rose was not named to the camp roster due to playoff commitments with his club team.

GOALTENDERS: Fredrik Bergvik, Jonas Johansson, Ebbe Sionas, Samuel Ward

DEFENSEMEN: Sebastian Aho, Rasmus Andersson, Julius Bergman, Andreas Borgman, Carl Dahlstrom, Niklas Hansson, Robert Hagg, Robin Norell

FORWARDS: Aton Blidh, Leon Bristedt, Adam Brodecki, Andre Burakovsky, Victor Crus Rydberg, Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, Alexander Henriksson, Anton Karlsson, Tobias Liljendahl, Tobias Lindberg, Oskar Lindhom, Victor Ohman

Lehkonen, 18th overall in Future Considerations March ranking for the 2013 NHL Draft, was second in goals (14) and points (30) for KalPa this season.

Finland will be without its top-ranked prospect for the 2013 draft heading into the tournament.

Aleksander Barkov, fourth in Future Considerations March ranking for the 2013 NHL Draft, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury on March 27th and will not be able to participate in the event that showcases some of the draft’s top European talent.

The duo were the only two ranked in Future Considerations’ top-100 Midterm.

GOALIES: Kaapo Kähkönen, Blues, Ville Husso, HIFK, Juuse Saros, HPK

DEFENSEMEN: Jimi Kuronen, Lukko, Alex Lintuniemi, Jokerit, Aleksi Mäkelä, Ilves, Julius Honka, JYP, Matias Pulli, TPS, Atte Mäkinen, Tappara, Mika Ilvonen, Blues, Erik Autio, Blues

FORWARDS: Jonatan Tanus, Peterborough (OHL), Aleksi Mustonen, Jokerit, Kasperi Ojantakanen, Jokerit, Artturi Lehkonen, KalPa, Joose Antonen, JYP, Juuso Ikonen, Blues, Aleksi Saarela, Lukko, Janne Puhakka, Blues, Otto Rauhala, Tappara, Saku Kinnunen, KalPa, Kasperi Kapanen, KalPa, Felix Westermarck, Blues, Niko Ojamäki, Ässät, Joel Kiviranta, Jokerit

The 17-year-old netminder closed out his 2012-13 regular season campaign winning all six games he started in March. During the month, Fucale recorded a 2.07 goals against average and .933 save percentage.

Fucale was near flawless in Halifax’s first round sweep of the Saint John Sea Dogs, allowing just four goals in the series and recording a .943 save percentage to close out the month.

For his effort, Fucale has been named Future Considerations’ draft eligible Goaltender of the Month for March.

Also considered for the award was Tristan Jarry of the Edmonton Oil Kings. Though he had only three starts in the month, the 17-year-old Delta, BC product was lights out with a 1.00 goals against average and .964 save percentage.

2012-13 Goaltender of the Month

March – Zachary Fucale, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
February – Louis-Philip Guindon, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
January – Austin Lotz, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
December – Zachary Fucale, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
November – Jake Patterson, London Knights (OHL)
October – Spencer Martin, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

The trio will be joined by fellow top prospects Shea Theodore and Jason Dickinson at Canada’s Under-18 training camp, held in Toronto starting Saturday.

Morrissey, a defenseman with the Prince Albert Raiders, is currently 16th in Future Considerations’ March ranking for the 2013 NHL Draft. The Calgary, AB product had 15 goals and 47 points in 70 games this season.

Gauthier is currently ranked one spot behind Morrissey at 17th in the March ranking. The six-foot-five Rimouski Oceanic centre had 22 goals and 60 points in 62 games.

The 26th-ranked Klimchuk was 27th in Western Hockey League scoring with 36 goals and 76 points while playing in all 72 games for the Regina Pats this season.

Darnell Nurse, Future Considerations’ fifth-ranked prospect was invited to the camp but was unable to attend.

GOALIES: Philippe Desrosiers, Rimouski (QMJHL); Spencer Martin, Mississauga (OHL)

DEFENCMEN: Dillon Heatherington, Swift Current (WHL); Joe Hicketts, Victoria (WHL); Dylan Labbe, Shawinigan (QMJHL); Darnell Nurse^, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL); Roland McKeown, Kingston (OHL); Samuel Morin, Rimouski (QMJHL); Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert (WHL); Shea Theodore, Seattle (WHL)

FORWARDS: Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL); Clark Bishop, Cape Breton (QMJHL), Laurent Dauphin, Chicoutimi (QMJHL); Jason Dickinson, Guelph (OHL); Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski (QMJHL); Yan-Pavel Laplante, PEI (QMJHL); Morgan Klimchuk, Regina (WHL); Connor McDavid, Erie (OHL); Alexis Pepin, PEI (QMJHL); Brayden Point, Moose Jaw (WHL); Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (WHL); Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL).

^- unable to attend camp

Jones closed out his 2012-13 regular season campaign with four goals and eight points in six games before adding three assists in Portland’s first round win over the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League playoffs.

The top-ranked player for the 2013 NHL Draft, Jones finished the season with 14 goals and 56 points in 61 games – fourth in the WHL amongst blue liners.

For his effort, Jones has been named Future Considerations draft eligible Defenseman of the Month.

Also considered for the award was Darnell Nurse of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Nurse had five points in eight games in March before adding a goal and three assists in six games against the Owen Sound Attack in first round OHL playoff action.

2012-13 Defenseman of the Month

March – Seth Jones, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
February – Jordan Subban, Belleville Bulls (OHL)
January – Ian McCoshen, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
December – Seth Jones, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
November – Ryan Pulock, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
October – Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

As if a 41-goal, 105-point season wasn’t enough, the 18-year-old phenom cleaned up at the annual QMJHL Golden Puck Awards being named Most Valuable Player, Top Pro Prospect, Personality of the Year, and a First-Team All-Star Wednesday.

The awards are just latest accomplishments by Drouin who has charged up the 2013 NHL Draft rankings since the beginning of the season.

Unranked a summer ago, a strong showing at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament last summer began Drouin’s vault up the rankings. The five-foot-11, 185-pound forward had a 29-game point streak from Nov. 30, 2012 to March 15, 2013, collecting 26 goals and 65 points over that span.

That streak wrapped around a performance at the 2013 World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia where he finished with two goals and four points in six games for Canada.

Drouin finished second in QMJHL despite just 49 games played.

The Ste-Agathe, PQ product  has routinely dazzled scouts and fans alike with countless highlight reel plays, putting his elite skating and hands on display nightly. His agile style of play and soft hands are just a precursor to a powerful and accurate shot.

Drouin is currently third in Future Considerations’ March rankings of the 2013 NHL Draft.

Shinkaruk closed out his Western Hockey League regular season with five goals and 13 points in seven games before adding another two goals and two assists in the Tigers’ first round sweep of the Memorial Cup hosting Saskatoon Blades.

The Calgary, AB product finished the season with 37 goals and 86 points in 64 games for Medicine Hat this season.

For his effort, Shinkaruk has been named Future Considerations draft eligible Forward of the Month.

Also considered for the award was Jonathan Drouin of the Halifax Mooseheads, who won the honor in February. Drouin wrapped up his regular season with four goals and 11 points in six games before adding eight assists and 10 points in Halifax’s first round sweep of the Saint John Sea Dogs.

2012-13 Forward of the Month

March – Hunter Shinkaruk, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
February – Jonathan Drouin, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
January – Nicolas Petan, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
December – Bo Horvat, London Knights (OHL)
November – Taylor Cammarata, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
October – Anthony Mantha, Val d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL)

These players will not have the chance to differentiate themselves in playoff hockey but have made the most of their opportunities this season.

Sitting in last place of the USHL’s Western Conference, the Sioux City Musketeers have desperately underwhelmed as a team this season. The same cannot be said about draft eligible duo of Jake Guentzel and Blake Heinrich, who have steadily seen their draft stock improve this season.

No one in the league has been hotter than Nebraska-Omaha commit Guentzel the last two months. Guentzel has a 17-game point streak in which he has accumulated 35 points and been named USHL Forward of the Week three times along the way. The streak has shot the Woodbury, Minn. native up the USHL’s scoring leaders to eighth with 65 points in 56 games this season.

Guentzel is an undersized forward at just five-foot-nine and 155 points but makes up for a lack of size with other strong facets of his game. Guentzel is a very strong skater with a quick stride and the ability to be illusive in the offensive zone. Guentzel’s defensive play has come a long way as well though is still the center’s biggest weakness in his game.

Likewise, teammate Heinrich has also put in a strong draft year this season. The physical blue liner has been solid defensively against the bigger, stronger USHL competition and also still possesses an offensive upside that was prevalent last season in Minnesota High School hockey. Heinrich has 19 points in 40 games. Heinrich provides good value for any team that selects him in the middle rounds of this year’s draft.

Tri-City Storm’s Trevor Moore is another draft eligible whose season will end in the coming weeks but has pieced together an impressive body of work. Moore remains a point-per-game player for the Storm with 58 points in 58 games.

Moore is a fast skater who can get up the ice very quick with the puck in transition. This strength was on full display amongst the league’s best draft eligible players at the USHL Top Prospects Game. Despite not recording a point in the game, the Denver commit created numerous scoring opportunities for him and his linemates while entering the offensive zone. Like Guentzel, size and defense concerns hamper Moore. Many scouts see Moore has a later-middle rounds pick in New Jersey.

The Chicago Steel is the first team on the outside looking in on the USHL Eastern Conference Playoffs and will see big Tyler Hill put a close on his draft year in five games. Since joining the Steel full time in mid-January, Hill has displayed a skill set that makes him one of the top power forwards in the league.

Blessed with size at six-foot-six and 225 pounds, Hill uses a combination of great puckhandling ability, puck poise, and strength to be an impact player on the ice. Hill’s potential makes him an interesting prospect in the upcoming draft and remains a top 50 prospect in Future Considerations’ draft rankings.

The third period horn on April 13 will end these four and many other USHL players’ draft years. Until then, the USHL draft eligibles will continue to attempt to improve their stock in the final stretch of the season in hopes their hard work will pay off come June 30 in New Jersey.

Because of that premium, it comes as no surprise that Rimouski Oceanic center Frederik Gauthier has caught the eye of many scouts this season. The product of Mascouche, PQ has a nice smooth skating stride to go along with size. A lot of it.

He won’t turn 18-years-old until April 26th, but already stands an imposing six-foot-five, 219 pounds.

His size lends to a multi-dimensional game.

A top rookie in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season, it’s hard to imagine he is just a year removed from playing Major Midget AAA with Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix. He finished his first year of Major Junior fourth on his team in scoring and amongst fellow QMJHL rookies in the regular season by compiling 22 goals, 60 points and a plus-22 rating in 62 games.

“He’s an all round player,” coach Serge Beausoleil said. “We appreciate having him on our team very much, especially because he one of our key players at 17-years-old.”

“His reading of the game is (what scouts like). He’s always well positioned that is one of his biggest strengths.”

As good of a season as it has been for Gauthier, the year hasn’t gone flawlessly. In early November, he took a shot in the mouth playing against the Quebec Remparts and fractured his jaw. Fortunately for him was able to return to the lineup two weeks later.  Surgery was successful as he was able to start eating the day after and was informed by his doctor that he couldn’t do any more damage by playing.

The injury didn’t slow his production. Upon his return to the lineup, Gauthier was held pointless his first two games back then went on a tear scoring by picking up 32 points in his next 24 games, a run that carried into his first game in February.

Like many rookies, Gauthier hit a wall soon after, finishing with just eight points in his final 18 games.

“It’s maybe a little bit of fatigue,” Beausoleil said. ” He was a little bit tired at the end. It’s a long season in the Q and he has to learn to manage it.”

It’s all part of the learning experience that young players go through. The QMJHL has a long growling schedule with lots of travel and it can be taxing for a kid that is trying to adjust from playing minor hockey.

Gauthier does have some experience to lean on, however.

Playing Quebec Midget AAA hockey and being named league MVP, leading his team to within a goal of a national championship before losing in double overtime, playing up a level is a jump. However, the experience of playing in big games carries over.

“The experience is always going to be with you,” Gauthier said. “I’ve taken the experience with me into this year. When you play in the final you learn about [what it takes to win big games].”

Gauthier is not alone when it comes to inexperience in at this level. Rimouski’s playoff roster consists of 11 players born in 1995 and one 1996. To put that into perspective, nearly half of the Oceanic’s 23 players this post-season are young enough to be in high school.

It’s one of the reasons his coach thinks he can use a little more time in junior before making the leap to the pro ranks.

“He’s too young,” Beausoleil admitted. “He’s got a lot of room to improve but he’s close that is for sure.”

Beausoleil there are a couple of areas of his game in particular Beausoleil thinks he can upgrade with more time and experience in the league.

“I’d like to see him finish his checks a little more and I’d like to see him use his shot,” he said. “He’s got a tremendous shot and he could use it a little more often.”

Gauthier agreed with his coach’s assessment.

“I know I have to shoot more,” he divulged. “I have to take some opportunity to shoot the puck at the net and tuck in some more scoring chances.”

One of the reasons he doesn’t shoot a little more often is skating with such talented linemates. He’s playing alongside 19-year-old Peter Trainor, one of only four players to eclipse 100 points in the regular season. Scott Oke, another 19-year-old, enjoyed a breakout season with 71 points skating with Gauthier.

“We know where each other are on the ice,” Gauthier said. “Trainor is one of the best players in the league and he’s helped me a lot during the season. Scott too, he works hard and I play well with him.”

The Oceanic are in a hole down 3-2 to the Gatineau Olympiques in their first round playoff series. If they are going to get back into it Gauthier’s line will be one of the players they need to step up.

“Now we are in the playoffs, it’s not like the regular season,” Gauthier said. “You have to keep giving you all and making sacrifices.”

He’s learning fast and Rimouski needs him along with his other teammates to do just that.

The Oceanic are a team that has ten 1995 born players on their playoff roster and a 1996. Even if the spring of 2013 doesn’t play out the way, Gauthier and company want it to they have a young core that is only going to get better, especially with him as one of their leaders.

Starting out in the east in the Canadian Hockey League, Nick Sorensen of the Quebec Remparts and Martin Reway of the Gatineau Olympiques are two top performers so far in the first round of the QMJHL playoffs.

Sorensen, a Swedish import winger with a good competes level, is widely considered a top-100 prospect for the 2013 draft and has produced well this season in a secondary scoring role for the Remparts.

Along with his compete level, Sorensen also skates well, handles the puck with skill and is smart in all areas.

This postseason he has really boosted his production and has been on a tear along with the recently returned Mikhail Grigorenko in Quebec’s first round series with Chicoutimi.

Reway is a Slovak import centre who has been one of the key forces in Gatineau’s surprising first round upset against a strong Rimouski team. Every time this diminutive forward has been on the ice he makes something happen, creating chances and making an impact. He is competitive, a good two-way player, hard on the puck, flashes a hard shot and makes skilled plays with the puck.

He is one prospect that could turn a strong playoff performance into a draft selection as teams start to realize his size will not hold him back because of his skill level and drive.

Out west in the WHL, Nicolas Petan has continued his scoring trend as the main point producer for the powerhouse Portland Winterhawks squad.

Much has been said about the diminutive forwards heart and ability to play through checks against larger opponents, but it is Petan’s smarts and opportunistic sense that allows him to consistently put up points in leading the attack for Portland.

Petan has moved into Future Considerations’ top-30 ranking for the first time in March as his skill and sense can no longer be held back because of his lack of ideal NHL size.

Speaking of those moving up in recent rankings, Russian defenseman Ruslan Pedan of the North American Hockey League’s Janesville Jets has become the latest hotness in the prospect world as scouts and NHL teams clamor to get late season views on the promising brother of Guelph Storm and New York Islanders draft selection Andrey Pedan.

His point production and impressive physical abilities have NHL squads re-adjusting their draft boards to fit his name in earlier rather than later.

Heading across the pond to Sweden where the playoffs are moving along, Andre Burakovsky has impressed in the AIK vs. Malmo U18 series.

Our scout came away with good news on Burakovsky, but was more than impressed with a steady blueliner Fredrik Eriksson. Eriksson is a not flashy, but an effective, smart  two-way defenseman that plays physical in his own end, shows good leadership qualities, has the respect of his teammates and even has a little offensive upside to keep an eye on.

Peter Cehlarik is a Slovak winger who plays in the Swedish Elite League with Lulea and has many scouts logging notes on his impressive jump from U18 to the mens league this season, producing consistently along the way.

His impressive size, skill and smarts have helped him maintain his scoring pace into the SEL’s playoffs and has Future Considerations among others pushing his name into second round contention and rising.

The big move at the top of March’s rankings was Darnell Nurse jumping over Sean Monahan for Future Considerations’ top-ranked OHL prospect. The move was made as our opinion is Nurse just has a bit more potential to make a marked impact on the game at the NHL level.

Join me again next month as ‘Directors Cut’ continues to take a look at more NHL draft prospects and news.

Until next month, see you at the rink.

Dan Stewart
Director of Scouting
Future Considerations

As always if you have any questions regarding the draft or its prospects, feel free to EMAIL ME and I will do my best to address them in my next column.

The 2013 NHL Draft eligible prospect suffered the injury on his first shift against HIFK, apparently catching his arm between the glass and boards.

Though Tappara won the game and advanced to the semifinal, Barkov isn’t expected to return this season.

Barkov, fourth in Future Considerations’ March ranking for the 2013 draft and the top-ranked European, has four assists in five playoff games after recording 21 goals and 48 points in 53 regular season games – finishing ninth in league scoring.

The one he’s most thankful for? Reece Scarlett.

The 2013 NHL Draft eligible rearguard has been paired almost exclusively with the New Jersey Devils prospect, helping accelerate the development of the six-foot-four tower with not only a veteran partner, but all the action he can handle as part of Speedy Creek’s top pairing.

“It just gives me more confidence,” Heatherington said. “Scarlett, my d-partner, has been helping me out with that. He’s always been playing those minutes and I’ve just been slowly matching him. It’s been going really good. I’m learning lots.”

That learning curve is clearly evident to scouts. Heatherington has evolved from a lanky, bottom-pairing blueliner a year ago into one of the Western Hockey League’s top draft eligibles.

It’s what happens when a prospect gets to work with the likes of assistant coach and director of player development Jamie Heward, a veteran of 394 National Hockey League games scattered over parts of 10 seasons.

Much in the way he credits Scarlett for his development, Heatherington acknowledged the importance of having Heward help his evolution.

“I feel like my skating has come a long way and playing with Scarlett and having (Jamie) Heward as an assistant coach, it’s definitely helped me with poise, plays with the puck,” Heatherington said. “That’s been good.”

So is having a team chock-full of players having gone through the draft process already. Along with Scarlett, Heatherington he’s leaned on a few elder statesmen to help him with the ups and downs associated with playing through one’s draft season.

“Our leadership group here is really strong with Scarlett, (Adam) Lowry and Coda (Gordon) and (Graham) Black,” Heatherington said. “We definitely have quite a few guys that have been in the position that I’ve been in. They’ve helped me out a lot with my confidence and what not.”

On and off the ice, it appears.

As much as Heatherington’s left an impression on the ice, NHL personnel are pleased to learn the poise possessed by the Calgary, AB product.

Running up and down the organization, a mention of Heatherington brings to the forefront a discussion on the character and integrity the 17-year-old possesses.

It’s something even Heatherington is willing to admit he gives a conscious effort to bring.

“The community does so much for our hockey club. You really can’t do anything to thank them,” he said bashfully. “You just need to go to the player appearances and give your heart to them. It’s definitely nice to be involved in the community off the ice.

“It’s definitely something I try to bring to the rink and even off the ice. I definitely just try to be a good guy and help whoever I can.”

Including any draft eligible defenseman in the near future that Heatherington can help. After all, he’s the type to pay it forward.

A luxury that Swift Current has in Heatherington.

He’s getting used to being on top of draft rankings, too.

For the third consecutive month, Jones is Future Considerations’ top prospect for the 2013 NHL Draft. The six-foot-four rearguard overtook Nathan MacKinnon in January and hasn’t had a hiccup since.

MacKinnon, the top-ranked forward prospect, remains 2nd behind Jones. He’s joined by Halifax Mooseheads teammate Jonathan Drouin, who has jumped ahead of Tappara center Aleksander Barkov and is now ranked third.

Drouin isn’t the only one in the top-5 that saw some movement. Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds defenseman Darnell Nurse makes an appearance, unseating Elias Lindholm and leapfrogging Sean Monahan into fifth. Nurse’s rise in the rankings has been unparalleled this season, going unranked last summer before starting the season 24th in September’s ranking.

Both Max Domi and Kerby Rychel saw slight bumps in their positioning as well. Domi’s inched his way closer to the top-10, while Rychel is knocking on the door of a top-20 selection.

Rank / Pos. / Name / Team / League / Ht / Wt /

1). D Seth Jones, Portland, WHL, 6-4, 205
2). RW/C Nathan MacKinnon, Halifax, QMJHL, 6-0, 180
3). C/LW Jonathan Drouin, Halifax, QMJHL, 5-11, 175
4). C Aleksander Barkov, Tappara, SM-liiga, 6-2, 205
5). D Darnell Nurse, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL, 6-4, 185
6). C Elias Lindholm, Brynas, Elitserien, 6-0, 185
7). C Sean Monahan, Ottawa, OHL, 6-2, 195
8). LW/C Valeri Nichushkin, Traktor Chelyabinsk, KHL, 6-3, 175
9). LW Hunter Shinkaruk, Medicine Hat, WHL, 5-11, 175
10). D Rasmus Ristolainen, TPS, SM-Liiga, 6-3, 205
11). D Ryan Pulock, Brandon, WHL, 6-1, 210
12). C/LW Max Domi, London, OHL, 5-10, 195
13). D Nikita Zadorov, London, OHL, 6-4, 205
14). LW Valentin Zykov, Baie-Comeau, QMJHL, 6-0, 210
15). LW Alexander Wennberg, Djurgården, Allsvenskan, 6-1, 190
16). D Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert, WHL, 6-0, 185
17). C Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski, QMJHL, 6-5, 215
18). RW Artturi Lekhonen, KalPa, SM-liiga, 5-10, 160
19). LW Anthony Mantha, Val-d ‘Or, QMJHL, 6-3, 180
20). D Robert Hägg, Modo J20, SuperElit, 6-2, 200
21). LW Kerby Rychel, Windsor, OHL, 6-1, 200
22). C Curtis Lazar, Edmonton, WHL, 6-0, 185
23). C Bo Horvat, London, OHL, 6-0, 195
24). RW Ryan Hartman, Plymouth, OHL, 5-11, 185
25). RW Adam Erne, Quebec, QMJHL, 6-0, 200
26). C Morgan Klimchuk, Regina, WHL, 5-11, 180
27). C J.T. Compher, U-17 USDP, USHL, 6-0, 165
28). C Connor Hurley, Edina, USHS, 6-1, 175
29). LW André Burakovsky, Malmo, Allsvenskan, 6-1, 175
30). C Nic Petan, Portland, WHL, 5-9, 160

The Ontario Hockey Federation announced Thursday that Hockey Canada has granted the 15-year-old ‘exceptional player’ status and is eligible to enter the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection on Sunday, April 6, 2013.

“Sean Day should be very proud of himself in attaining exceptional player status,” OHF Executive Director Phillip McKee said in a release. “The evaluation process is very extensive and reviews all aspects of the player’s life.  We all look forward to seeing Sean continue his development as a player and person in the OHL next season.”

A Special Evaluation Panel assembled by Hockey Canada evaluated Day’s level of maturity and hockey and academic documentation in granting him the status.

Day joins the likes of Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad and John Tavares as players to receive the distinction.

With the regular season of his draft year winding to a close, the Calgary, AB product wasn’t necessarily pleased with his goal total.

Shinkaruk found the back of the net 37 times, trailing just Nicolas Petan and Curtis Lazar among draft eligibles in the Western Hockey League. By no means is that unimpressive.

Until you consider Shinkaruk hit 49 as a 17-year-old a year ago riding shotgun to Anaheim Ducks rookie Emerson Etem.

“Coming into this year – I’m not going to lie – I wanted to get 50 goals,” Shinkaruk said. “Sometimes that’s just not going to happen. You just have to be the best player you can every night. I can’t complain about how my season’s gone. At the end of the day, you still want to get 50 and it’s kind of tough that probably won’t happen.”

Though Shinkaruk fell short of his lofty run at 50, he accomplished a bigger goal – development. Shinkaruk started the season by taking the Tigers’ captaincy and parlayed that into rounding into a more complete player.

“There were a lot of expectations coming in as captain and I feel I’ve done that,” he said. “Every time I come into a year, my main focus is just becoming a better player on both sides of the puck. I feel this year my defensive side has been better and even just being a better leader. My game as a whole is coming around and obviously my offense has still been there.”

Many wondered if that offense would be there without Etem, who scored 61 goals and 107 points in his final year of Major Junior. Shinkaruk admitted it was strange not sharing a line with the Long Beach, CA product.

“It’s a little bit different,” Shinkaruk said. “He’s such an exciting player. I thought our speed really countered off each other. Obviously we had a great year last year. It’s obviously tough having Emerson leave but I’m not going to complain with my new linemate.”

That linemate is Curtis Valk, who led the Tigers with 46 goals and 91 points.

“He’s having an unbelievable season, leading our team in points,” Shinkaruk said. “I can’t say enough about how well he’s played and fit in.”

Running with Valk, the lessons from Etem have stuck with the five-foot-11, 175-pound Shinkaruk.

Namely, how to approach the opposition with a target on your back.

“I think that it’s not something I’ve tried to let bother me,” he said. “If I get a cheap shot, there’s a chance I’m going to try to get a lick on someone later in the game. That’s a part of hockey. I’ve had to deal with it all this year. Emerson taught me how to deal with it last year. I learned from him last year and I really can’t complain.”

Shinkaruk will get more than an opportunity to practice what Etem preached. He’ll have a bulls-eye on the back of his jersey when the Tigers square off against the Memorial Cup-bound Saskatoon Blades in the first round of the WHL Playoffs.

It’s a chance to erase any doubt about his decreased production, too.

“I’ve always looked at the top-end players and they always play so much better in the huge games,” Shinkaruk said. “That’s something I’ve worked on my whole life. Going into the playoffs, I know I’m going to be relied upon heavily and checked pretty hard too.”

He didn’t mince words about that either.

“I can’t wait.”

Over the last eight seasons, scouts and fans alike have heard about exceptional talents requesting to join the Ontario Hockey League a year before eligible such as John Tavares in 2005, John McFarland – who requested but was turned down in 2007 -, Aaron Ekblad who was granted the status in 2011 and last season Connor McDavid, who has done nothing but justify the hype so far.

Queue the next exceptional talent.

Meet Sean Day, a six-foot-two, 190-pound defenseman playing this season with the strong Under-16 Detroit Compuware midget minor program. Day is a ‘98-born phenom that many are predicting will request and receive the ‘exceptional status’ provision from Hockey Canada and be granted early eligibility to the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.

In our viewings from this season, Future Considerations scouts have come away impressed to say the least. Day has many of the elements that have OHL teams as well as NHL teams already salivating for what this talent is and could become.

The attention Day has been getting this season has not surprised Compuware U16 head coach Andy Copp.

“We have a lot of high end kids on our team so a lot of our players get quite a bit of attention,” Copp said. “Every time we play we have lots of scouts watching us so it was just a matter of time before everyone started talking about Sean.”

Starting off, Day’s skating is already elite and couple that with the size he already possesses as a freshly turned 15-year-old and he already has outstanding natural tools to work with. His lateral movements and pivots are incredibly fluid and something that scouts love to see in a guy with his size.

And Copp knows it.

“Normally, the highest evaluation that I would put on a skill would be ‘elite’, well…Sean’s skating is a step above that,” Copp said. “His stride is long, powerful and effortless. He can stop on a dime, change direction and be completely gone in one stride.”

His puck skills, especially his quick hands and poise under pressure as well as his ability to elude checkers, has us believing he has high end upside as a future NHL puck rusher. Day’s passes are sharp, on the mark and made with perfect timing. His positional sense of where to be on the ice to defend or have the puck find him is also something that not many kids his age can boast.

Day’s decision making with the puck and willingness in utilizing his teammates are both areas that are seen as a work in progress by evaluators as he can be a little too individualistic; a common side effect phenom’s have to learn to control coming from being a tier or two ahead of one’s competition and their teammates.

“His only real weakness is that he is just a fresh faced 15-year-old and he is still learning the game and maturing,” added Copp.

While his size would lend to being physically dominant – especially against his own age group – Day is not an overly physical player by nature and picks his spots rather well to deliver hits. He does utilize his size along the wall and to keep his net clear form traffic as well.

His physical package is matched by what’s in Day’s head, according to Cobb.

“I was a little concerned with him coming in as an underager as I have never allowed one in the past, but the team quickly accepted him,” Cobb said. “Sean is humble and just has fun playing the game. He knows when is the appropriate time to goof around and he certainly knows when it’s time to work hard. He is humble. He still likes to be a 15-year-old kid but he has a maturity about him. He is very focused and hardworking when it’s time to work.”

His constant desire to be a difference maker on the ice is another positive trait that scouts love to see.

One member of the 2013 NHL Draft class is hoping to avoid just that. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles forward William Carrier – on the shelf since mid-December with a high ankle sprain – missed the second-half of his draft eligible season.

The Montreal, QC product started skating again in early March but didn’t see any game action before Cape Breton finished up the year. If they had of been in the playoff hunt, Carrier would have played but neither he nor the coaching staff felt it was worth the risk of re-aggravating the injury.

The situation hasn’t discouraged Carrier, though.

“I’ve talked to a lot of scouts and they said I’ve been in the league three years already so they’ve had a chance to see me last year and the year before, even at the start of the season and I had a good start so it’s not really that bad,” Carrier said.

There are recent examples of teams picking players high despite having suffered season ending injuries leading up the draft. In 2009, the Ottawa Senators took Jared Cowen. The Tampa Bay Lightning haven’t been shy to do so either, taking Brett Connolly in 2010 and Slater Koekkoek last year despite both missing significant chunks of their draft season.

In other words, if a team likes a player enough they’ll take them.

It’s not as if Carrier’s season is entirely done, either. His next chance to get back in front of those that will be evaluating him will be at the 2013 NHL Scouting Combine.

And Carrier carries an impressive resume to the event. He still led Cape Breton in many offensive categories despite only playing in just 34 games. He finished the year at the top in points (42) and assists (26) and was second in goals (16) on the last-place Screaming Eagles.

Those numbers are due in large part to the blazing hot start. Carrier had 15 goals and 40 points in 24 games, being held pointless in just two games before eventually ending his season with just two in his last 10 games.

All that came on the heels of a 27-goal, 70-point sophomore season.

“I lost some weight this summer,” Carrier said. “It got me feet going, gave me quicker feet. That is probably why I had a quick start to the season. I wanted to have 100 points. I was going for it but injuries happen.”

Carrier turned to power skating coach Julie Robitaille for six weeks in Trois Rivieres to make those feet faster. Robitaille is the same coach that NHLers Marc-Andre Bergeron, Mike Ribeiro, Guillaume Latendresse and others work with.

“You always want to look at them. They are all professionals,” Carrier said. “You really see the difference from Major Junior with those guys just from the way they work. You just want to take their attitude of giving 100% in the gym. Just see the way they train.”

Carrier is going to have to train hard again this summer  to bounce back to the form that created the draft buzz around him but this time he’ll be trying to show the NHL team that takes him why he was worth the gamble.

That impression, though, will extend into the playoffs for Seth Jones of the Portland Winterhawks.

Jones has made himself a household name and has firmly planted himself at the top of our rankings. Jones routinely shows why he is the crown jewel of the draft. The first and most exciting part of his game is his ability to handle the puck and move his feet at an extremely high level for his size. He is able to maneuver the ice with such ease and electricity which makes him impossible to either contain offensively or to beat on the defensive side. Jones contributes at both ends of the ice and plays huge minutes making him an invaluable asset to his team. He is a physical defenseman with exceptional smarts. He is a master at turning loose pucks into odd-man rushes for his team with slick, heads-up breakout passes.

Jones’ ability to thrive physically, offensively, defensively, and mentally are why his is a can’t miss prospect. Wherever he ends up going on draft day, he is sure to be an impact NHL defenseman for many years to come.

Regina Pats forward Morgan Klimchuk didn’t have the same immediate impact of Jones, but his continued momentum has pushed him up the draft rankings.

Klimchuk is an offensive forward who has improved all parts of his game over the course of the year, earning his way into the first round of our rankings. He is the type of forward you hate to defend because he can beat you in so many ways. He is always one of the fastest skaters on the ice and uses his wheels to tear through the neutral zone off the rush. Klimchuk is also very agile allowing him to spin off checks move around to open scoring areas. He has a lightning fast release to his shot that he used to score 36 goals this year. Klimchuk also uses his vision and smarts to thread deadly passes across the ice.

Klimchuk does a good job involving himself physically on the forecheck but he certainly needs to add some mass to his smallish frame. He is definitely an offense-first player that will have to improve his defensive impact as he matures, but that won’t scare teams away from his top-six upside.

Unfortunately for Klimchuk his Regina Pats will not be heading to the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean his season is over. He should be a big part of Canada’s entry into next month’s U-18 World Championship in Russia.

Swift Current Broncos defenseman Dillon Heatherington has played strong down the stretch and will get in playoff action.

He is a big, mobile defenseman that makes his presence felt with not only his size and physicality, but also in his ability to move the puck up ice. Heatherington will never put up huge numbers but he certainly projects as a guy that can you can rely on to play big minutes in roles at both ends of the ice. He is already succeeding playing against some of the top forwards in the league and his play with the Broncos is a big reason why he has risen in our rankings. He is exceptionally smooth on his feet allowing him to hound opposing forwards and also compete in open ice situations. He frequently uses his strength to claim territory around his net and in the corners.

While Heatherington is good in all areas of the nice, no part of his game really shows the type of elite upside that could push him into the first round. Sometimes his hockey sense can get exposed in pressure situations leading to a turnover or missed assignment in his own zone.

Despite not being an all-around high end prospect, Heatherington is big, reliable defenseman that a lot of NHL teams will be keeping a close eye on in the playoffs.

The post-season will be crucial for Jones, Klimchuk, Heatherington and the rest of the 2013 draft class as the final sprint towards June’s NHL Draft begins.

Born on September 16, 1994, Mantha’s birthday fell one day short of 2012’s cutoff. The Val-d’or Foreurs standout has taken full of advantage of the extra time to grow into his six-foot-three, 200-pound frame.

“My dad and I talked about it over a year ago,” Mantha said. “We knew that I had a year longer (than players born before the cut-off) even when I played an extra year of midget AAA.

“The first year (as 16-year-old) I could have played junior but it was only a benefit to me. If I was picked last year it wouldn’t be in the same place.”

It shouldn’t come as a surprise Mantha would lean on a family member for advice. His grandfather André Pronovost won four Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens back in the 1950s and 60s. Needless to say, hockey is in his blood.

But it’s not just his hockey lineage that has the Longueuil, QC product ranked 19^th by Future Considerations. Mantha leads the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in goals with 48. He’s still got a few games left to reach 50 but regardless his total is going to be much improved from the 22 he scored as a rookie a year ago.

It was after Christmas time last year that Mantha’s game started to round into form. He finished up the year by collecting 40 points in his final 25 regular season games before picking up another four points in as many playoff games.

He attributes the improvement in his game to his added strength, spending summers working out with his personal trainer in Boucherville, QC and credits that to the success he’s had on the ice.

“I’ve gained about 20 pounds since the beginning of last year and my confidence has gone straight up,” he said.

That confidence was carried over into the start of the 2012-13 season, scoring 14 goals in his first 14 games. That offensive output impressed linemate Cedrick Henley.

“Playing with him it makes my life easier,” said Henley, a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres. “I just give him the puck and he scores. He has a lot of speed and he’s big. It’s pretty rare to see a guy that big and fast.”

Still, there’s more to the game of hockey than just scoring goals. According to coach Mario Durocher, Mantha has the opportunity to elevate his game further.

“He needs to compete hard for the puck every shift, take short shifts and things like that,” Durocher said. “Those are things he will learn but he has to be a little more consistent. He knows what he has to do but sometimes things come a little too easy in junior.”

Games will get tougher for Mantha when teams key in on him in the playoffs. It’s going to give Mantha a great opportunity to show what he can do under pressure as his team will lean on him to lead the way.

“It’s going to be the most import part of the season for him. (Scouts) are looking for guys who can work hard and win the battles one-on-one, the playoffs is exactly that,” Durocher said. “We are going to see the way he’s going to use his body.

“He can be in the first 10, he can be in the first 20, he can be in the first 30, and it’s all going to depend on how he plays in the playoffs. The scouts are unanimous about his game, he’s a real sniper.”

If the sniper keeps performing, Mantha might shoot himself up the draft board at the end of June.

The event, which takes place annually in Troy, Michigan, is a three day event in late February which features six teams – five of them are based off of the geographical divisions in the NAHL, and the last being a draft-eligible U18 squad. Nearly every NHL team is in attendance, along with Major Junior and NCAA programs.

There were two main draws for the U18 team although a third stole the show, leaving everyone talking about and scheduling viewings in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Goaltender Evan Cowley of the Wichita Falls was the headliner, already having exploded onto the scene at September’s NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota. The lanky six-foot-four netminder has not only impressed scouts with his play, but with his off-ice demeanor as well.

Future Considerations has heard many reports of how well his interviews have gone, and Cowley has committed himself to a slower development path than his counterpart and often comparison, Anthony Stolarz (now of the London Knights.) The self-awareness and dedication to maximizing his potential is just as attractive as his calm on-ice demeanor and positional play.

As of now he does a wonderful job of maintaining his composure and focus when the play becomes frenzied in front of him, but struggles some when the development of the play is at a much slower pace. In drafting goaltenders now, the key is not rushing them- and with a long self-imposed development window, Cowley will have the chance to polish and refine his skills and reads.

The other draw was the massive six-foot-six, 205-pound Tyler Andrew.

The Topeka Road Runners forward has really gained some steam since the New Year as a legitimate pro prospect, although he is seen as a project. He recently committed to Ferris State University, although he’s likely to move up to the USHL level next year. For now, he’s is focused on getting Topeka to the Robertson Cup and rounding out his game- and adding a physical edge to make his giant frame all the more effective. He’s been praised by his coach for his professional attitude and work ethic and how well he’s developed since the beginning of the year. Andrew may be someone who your favorite team takes in the later rounds this June.

While scouts came to Troy to watch Cowley and Andrew, they all left talking about Janesville Jets defenseman Ruslan Pedan.

If the name sounds familiar, he is the younger brother of Andrey Pedan, a defenseman for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. The younger Pedan wasn’t able to be on the Jets’ roster at the Fall Showcase of visa issues, since his arrival has put up 28 points in 38 games. Standing at a healthy six-foot-one and owning strong skating ability and the ability to move the puck, Pedan comes with some sandpaper as well, as his 109 penalty minutes are a testament to that.

A Bemidji State commit, there is some speculation that Pedan could be wavering from that, and his name will likely come up when CHL Import Draft time rolls around.

A player who would have likely made the NAHL Top Prospects game is Cedar Rapids RoughRiders’ Mark Evan Auk.

It’s been a season of adjustments for the defenseman, as he started the season with the Port Huron Fighting Falcons, skating in 27 games, but was summoned to the USHL by Cedar Rapids in early December and has been there ever since.

Auk’s poise, vision, and hands make him a great quarterback on the RoughRiders power play. He effectively distributes the puck around the zone and when is challenged, uses his lateral agility on more than one occasion to stutter step around the oncoming defender and walk down into the slot. The knock is his heavy boots; his north-south speed can really cause him some struggle with the pace at times, so much that he was used sparingly at even strength but saw time on every power play, but he showed he’s got the edgework and agility to make evasive maneuvers to create space or a lane to move the puck up the ice. Still a bit raw in his own end, Auk has shown he has the mental capacity to adjust and perform at higher levels- this time last year he was playing high school hockey back in Michigan.

Speaking of high school hockey, we’re almost at the point where those seasons are ending, and we’ll see the influx of players heading out to their USHL clubs to finish out the season; its a chance to continue playing hockey but also showcasing their talents to NHL teams as the scouting season starts to wind down.

Sergei Tolchinsky is one of those players choosing the road less traveled by Russians en route through the Canadian Hockey League to the 2013 NHL Draft. Tolchinsky made the transition to the CHL in September with the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League after being selected 12th overall by the Greyhounds in the 2012 CHL Import Draft.

He had scored an impressive 34 points in 51 games in the MHL in 2011-12 so it was no surprise that he got off to a white-hot start to his OHL career recording 11 goals for 24 points in his first 27 games in the Soo. His lightning quick hands, elite vision and relentless work ethic have been a killer combination for the young Russian who sits third in OHL rookie scoring with 25 goals and 50 points in 60 games this season.

Scouts have raved about Tolchinsky’s puck skills and his ability to materialize a scoring chance out of nothing, all of which has Future Considerations scouting director Dan Stewart impressed.

“He is a very electrifying offensive talent who has some of the quickest and most creative hands in the entire draft,” Stewart said. “He is dangerous every time he touches the puck because of his puck skills and quickness and his shot is quick off his stick,. His vision is also very impressive and he is a real weapon on the power play from the half wall.”

Despite the impeccable offensive ability, Tolchinsky lacks the size and strength needed to compete at the higher levels. He stands just five-foot-seven and weighs in at a slight 150 pounds. His lack of size and inability to win battles due to his size may have been a determining factor in leaving the young sniper off Russia’s World Junior club in December.

Now while his size and strength, or lack thereof is a major deterrent, Stewart thinks Tolchinsky’s extensive library of skills will likely entice a team just enough to use a later round pick on speedy Russian.

“Despite his inability to fight through traffic and battle for 50/50 pucks along the boards, I would still expect an NHL team to step up and select the talented Russian in the mid-to-late rounds hoping that he can add those physical elements,” he said. “At the moment though, his lack of size and functional strength make it difficult for him to compete at even the major junior level.”

Just 18, Tolchinsky still has time to fill in his frame. The added size can do nothing but help his chances of an NHL career.

Until then, he will continue his journey down the unbeaten path and use all the resources the CHL has to offer to turn his dream into a reality.

Baie-Comeau Drakkar winger Valentin Zykov has done everything but etch his own name on the award.

The product of St. Petersburg, Russia has had no trouble adjusting to the North American style of game after being the 76^th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft. He’s had the rookie scoring race wrapped up in the QMJHL for a while now and he’s well on his way to hitting the 40-goal plateau.

“It wasn’t really tough to adapt to the new style here,” says Zykov of the transition.

Maybe that shouldn’t be much of surprise. He’s spent the past two summers in Ottawa with his agent so he has had a chance to work on his English and get acclimated with life in Canada.

Zykov started to garner attention earlier in the year with a quick start to the season. That was enough to have Team Russian dress him for a pair of games in the Subway Super Series in November. He was only one of two 1995 born players to play for Russia in the series. The other was Valeri Nichushkin.

His all-round game earned him the trip.

“He’s a complete player, good offensively, defensively and on the forecheck,” Baie-Comeau coach Eric Veilleux said. “He’s a North American player. That’s how he plays.”

Zykov has plenty of size and strength. He stands at six-foot-one, 215-pounds while playing the game with a good blend of physicality and speed to go along with his above-average shot.

He also has had the luxury of playing on a team with plenty of depth up front that has allowed him to be slotted on the team’s second line alongside Felix Girard and fellow draft eligible prospect Gabryel Paquin-Bodreau.

“He’s a sniper. When he as an opportunity (to score) he doesn’t miss,” Girard said. “What makes him so good is he is very hard (on the puck). He wins his one-on-one battles and that is why he is that good. He can create opportunities out of nothing.”

As a 16 year-old last season, Zykov played in the MHL with CSKA-Krasnaja Armija, the feeder affiliate for Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League.

If Zykov – or another Russian player for that matter – drops on draft day it might be because NHL teams are worried using a high picks on a players that may not decide to stay in North America long-term.

For the time being though, Zykov isn’t worried about that. Instead, his focus is on the ice.

“The NHL draft is in the summer it’s not something I think about right now.”

Finishing business in the QMJHL, however, is.

For the first time in league history, all non-playoff teams can hit the jackpot in the form of the first overall pick under the National Hockey League’s new draft rules.

The opening order of the 2013 NHL Draft will be determined on Monday, April 29th where all 14 non-playoff clubs will have an opportunity to choose between the likes of Seth Jones, Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin and Aleksander Barkov. In previous years, only the bottom-five teams had an opportunity to move up to the first overall pick as the team winning the lottery could only advance four positions.

Positions are weighted, however, with the last-place team having the best odds of winning the top pick. Balls numbered one to 14 are placed into a lottery machine. The machine will then kick out four balls, with the combination expelled is matched against a probably chart that divides possible combinations between the 14 participants.

The likelihood of winning the draft are as follows:

Team 1 – 25.0%
Team 2 – 18.8%
Team 3 – 14.2%
Team 4 – 10.7%
Team 5 – 8.1%
Team 6 – 6.2%
Team 7 – 4.7%
Team 8 – 3.6%
Team 9 – 2.7%
Team 10 – 2.1%
Team 11 – 1.5%
Team 12 – 1.1%
Team 13 – 0.8%
Team 14 – 0.5%

The 2013 NHL Draft is set to take place on Sunday, June 30th with the New Jersey Devils serving host at the Prudential Center.

In one of the biggest high school tournaments in North America, the opportunity presents itself to start compiling a book on players eligible for the 2014 and 2015 NHL Draft. Whether it be to catch a glimpse of the 2014 eligible Tyler Nanne or 2015′s Tom Novak, it’s never to early to start compiling books on the youngsters.

Dylan Malmquist (F)-Edina
24 GP, 18 G, 17 A, 35 PTS
2014 Draft Eligible

There are a lot of strong sophomores at this year’s tournament, but Malmquist leads the class. Malmquist has shown great chemistry with Hurley and really impressed early in the season against older competition in the Upper Midwest Elite League. A very intelligent and instinctive player, Malmquist consistently puts himself in position to make plays. Malmquist was Muskegon’s (USHL) first round selection in the 2012 Futures Draft and will push hard for the skilled forward to join Hurley for his draft year next season.

Tyler Nanne (D/F)-Edina
25 GP, 9 G, 10 A, 19 PTS
2014 Draft Eligible

Nanne could be considered the most versatile player in the state with his all-around ability. Head coach Curt Giles has played Nanne both on the right wing and as a defenseman this season, but will have Nanne playing defense at the tournament. Nanne is a tireless worker and brings an elite set of skills to the rink every night. Because of his offensive instincts, look for Nanne to skate with the puck as the Hornets break out of their end often.

Christiano Versich (F)-St. Thomas Academy
27 GP, 14 G, 23 A, 37 PTS
2015 Draft Eligible

Versich is one of the more exciting players to watch at this year’s tournament with a very high skillset for a sophomore. While undersized at five-foot-nine, Versich excels with great skating skills and puck poise. Versich also wowed on the national stage finishing tied for ninth in points at USA Hockey’s Select 15 Camp last July. Versich’s line of Tom Novak and Alex Johnson can put on a show offensively.

Tom Novak (F)-St. Thomas Academy
28 GP, 26 G, 27 A, 53 PTS
2015 Draft Eligible

Novak is one of two skilled St. Thomas sophomore forwards who are in the mix for an NTDP invitation later this month. Novak is an excellent skater, but needs to get stronger to continue to be effective. St. Thomas is a fun team to watch and Novak is one of the reasons. Novak had six points in five games at the Select 15 Camp this summer.

Matthew Freytag (F)-Wayzata
28 GP, 22 G, 13 A, 35 PTS
2015 Draft Eligible

Wayzata lacks a star player, but the sophomore Freytag is the closest thing viewers will find.  In his first year at high school hockey this season, Freytag has come a long way and lead the Trojans in points. Freytag has decent size for a sophomore and is strong with the puck on his stick. This is the last chance USHL teams will get to see Freytag before the 2013 Futures Draft where he is likely to be selected.

With Files from Dan Shrader.

Guindon turned in an impressive February with a 6-2 record with a 2.49 goals against average and .907 save percentage. The 17-year-old also had shutouts in three of his last four games to close out the month.

In all, the Montreal, QC product has a 24-13-1-1 record this season with a 3.08 goals against average and .887 save percentage.

For his efforts, Guindon has been named FC’s draft eligible Goaltender of the Month for February.

Also considered for the honour was Zachary Fucale of the Halifax Mooseheads. Fucale, FC’s draft eligible Goaltender of the Month in December, won all seven starts while posting a 2.24 goals against average and .924 save percentage in February.

2012-13 Goaltender of the Month

February – Louis-Philip Guindon, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
January – Austin Lotz, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
December – Zachary Fucale, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
November – Jake Patterson, London Knights (OHL)
October – Spencer Martin, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Fans will see some of the most talented high school hockey players on the continent as well. Minnesota high school hockey has always had a presence on the NHL Draft and last year was no different with four players getting drafted directly from Minnesota High Schools eligible to play in the tournament.

The chance to view the next crop of players to be drafted brings scouts to the tournament and will get their final looks at 2013 NHL Draft eligible players in preparation for June 30 in New Jersey. Scouts will also get final glimpses of the season at future premier draft eligible players.

With the exception of Connor Hurley, the 16 schools that made the tournament lack early round selections but do have players who could be potential late round steals for NHL organizations.

The tournament can be seen online at Prep45.com beginning with the Class A tournament on Wednesday.

Connor Hurley (F)-Edina
25 GP, 15, 28 A, 43 PTS

Hurley headlines the class of 2013 draft eligible players in the entire state of Minnesota as he currently projects to be a fringe first round selection. Hurley displays great on-ice vision setting up line mates Dylan Malmquist and Andy Jordahl with ease. At six-foot-one, Hurley has good size but still must get stronger. Hurley’s ability to finish is greatly under rated as well. Hurley is likely headed to Muskegon (USHL) for his senior year of high school and is committed to Notre Dame for 2014.

Meirs Moore (D)-Duluth East
28 GP, 18 G, 29 A, 47 PTS

Moore displays great puck skills and has as much puck poise as anyone at the tournament. Moore is not the most physical defenseman and his smaller stature does not help him, but he will play the body when needed. Moore is not the most dynamic player, but seemingly always finds ways to produce for a powerhouse Duluth East team. Moore is likely headed to Sioux City (USHL) next season and remains uncommitted to a Division I school.

Jake Zeleznikar (D)-Hermantown
28 GP, 11 G, 34, 45 PTS

Scouts made sure to watch the physically impressive Zeleznikar. Zeleznikar uses his six-foot-two frame in every way a big defenseman should. He wins puck battles everywhere on the ice, displays great puck protection along the walls in his own end, and has a great shot from the point. The senior’s vision with the puck is also a big asset in his game.

Neal Pionk (D)-Hermantown
27 GP, 16 G, 18 A, 34 PTS

Pionk is the second of Hermantown’s two solid defensemen eligible for this year’s draft. He is smaller listed at five-foot-11 and 165 pounds but uses his size well. Pionk has less offensive ability than Zelezinkar but does move the puck well. He’s is committed to Minnesota-Duluth but is only a junior.

Dylan Parker (G)-Duluth East
27 GP, 18-4-0, 1.64 GAA, .917 SV%

Parker has posted arguably the most impressive goaltending statistics in the state and when watching him it is easy to see why. Parker is an extremely athletic goaltender who has a very good glove hand. Parker’s rebound control is solid as well, but can give him in trouble at times. Duluth East’s early exit from the 2012 tournament as the first seed with Parker in net will leave the Hounds and Parker hungry. Look for him to have a solid tournament.

Parker Reno (D)-Edina
25 GP, 1 G, 17 A, 18 PTS

With just one goal on the season, Reno is not the flashiest of players, but does a lot of the little things right that put him into the elite defensemen category at the state level. Reno approaches the game with a defense-first mentality and is extremely reliable in his own end. The RPI-commit will use his strong skating ability to find space and move the puck out of the zone.

Jack Forbort (F)-Duluth East
28 GP, 22 G, 39 A, 61 PTS

Brother of 2010 Los Angeles first round pick Derek, Jack Forbort is one of the players that makes Duluth East go. While Jack is not blessed with Derek’s size, the undersized Forbort finds ways to make plays and centers one of the best lines in the AA tournament. Forbort wants the puck on his stick and will certainly have to be an impact player if Duluth East wants to be playing in Saturday’s title game.

Zach LaValle (F)-Hill Murray
27 GP, 24 G, 32 A, 56 PTS

LaValle has been an impact player for the Pioneers for years and became the all-time leading scorer at Hill-Murray with 56 points this season. LaValle is an extremely athletic player with lots of offensive ability. LaValle has above average skating skills and uses his six-foot frame effectively in all three areas of the ice. LaValle lead the Hill-Murray team in points at last year’s tournament with five in three games and will be looked upon to take the team one step further starting Thursday after last year’s championship game loss.

With files from Dan Shrader

Subban, who currently sits sixth in all Ontario Hockey League defensemen in scoring, boasted an incredible February after scoring six goals and adding nine assists for 15 points in just 12 games. His totals include four multi-point games.

Subban, the younger brother of NHL defenseman P.K. and Boston Bruins goaltending prospect Malcolm, has 15 goals and 49 points in 61 games this season.

For his efforts, Subban has been named Future Considerations’ draft eligible Defenseman of the Month for February.

Also considered for the honour was Shea Theodore of the Seattle Thunderbirds. Theodore had five goals and 11 points in 13 games in February and is eighth in scoring among Western Hockey League blueliners with 16 goals and 43 points in 60 games.

2012-13 Defenseman of the Month

February – Jordan Subban, Belleville Bulls (OHL)
January – Ian McCoshen, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
December – Seth Jones, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
November – Ryan Pulock, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
October – Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Drouin, who leads all QMJHL scorers this season with 98 points, had an incredible February after posting 11 goals and 17 assists while recording points in all 11 games played in the month.

The Ste-Agathe, QC product currently has points in 26 consecutive games for the Mooseheads this season.

For his efforts, Drouin has been named Future Considerations’ forward of the month.

Also considered for the honour was Kerby Rychel of the Windsor Spitfires. Rychel recorded nine goals and 25 points in 12 Ontario Hockey League games in February and currently sits ninth in league scoring with 35 goals and 79 points in 62 games.

2012-13 Forward of the Month