Team Canada defenseman Aaron Ekblad has topped Future Considerations’ January ranking for the 2014 NHL Draft.

Ekblad, who is currently skating on Canada’s blue line at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship, has retained his ranking as the top prospect in 2014.

He’s got close company. Canadian teammate Sam Reinhart, who plays for the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League, sits a close second. Ekblad, who took the top position over Reinhart in November, and Reinhart have been ranked 1-2 all season.

“The top two seem to be interchangeable at this point,” scouting director Dan Stewart said. “With their World Juniors performances, they seem to be putting a little distance between themselves and the next grouping,” too.

Leon Draisaitl, who is representing Germany at the same event, remains third. Michael Dal Colle of the Oshawa Generals and Sam Bennett of the Kingston Frontenacs round out the top five.

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 Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa (OHL), 6-2, 180
5). LW Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL), 6-0, 180
6). C William Nylander, Rogle (Allsvenskan), 5-11, 170
7). LW Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL), 6-2, 230
8). LW Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL), 6-2, 205
9). D Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL), 6-3, 200
10). RW Conner Bleackley, Red Deer (WHL), 6-1, 195
11). C Jared McCann, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), 6-0, 180
12). D Roland McKeown, Kingston (OHL), 6-1, 200
13). LW Ivan Barbashev, Moncton (QMJHL), 6-1, 185
14). LW Nikolaj Ehlers, Halifax (QMJHL), 5-11, 165
15). RW Kasperi Kapanen, KalPa (SM-Liiga), 5-11, 170
16). LW Sonny Milano, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 5-11, 185
17). C Dylan Larkin, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6-1, 190
18). RW David Pastrnak, Sodertalje (Allsvenskan), 6-0, 170
19). RW Anton Karlsson, Frolunda J20 (SuperElit), 6-1, 190
20). C Nick Schmaltz, Green Bay (USHL), 5-11, 170
21). C Jake Virtanen, Calgary (WHL), 6-1, 210
22). C Adrian Kempe, Modo J20 (SuperElit), 6-2, 190
23). G Thatcher Demko, Boston College (NCAA), 6-4, 180
24). D Jack Dougherty, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6-1, 185
25). D Julius Honka, Swift Current (WHL), 5-10, 170
26). D Anthony DeAngelo, Sarnia (OHL), 5-11, 175
27). D Brycen Martin, Swift Current (WHL), 6-2, 185
28). C Robby Fabbri, Guelph (OHL), 5-10, 165
29). C Jakub Vrana, Linkoping J20 (SuperElit), 5-11, 185
30). RW Nikolay Goldobin, Sarnia (OHL), 6-0, 175