Youngstown Phantoms Rookie Adam Ingram (SN # 28) is the USHL’s top point-producing rookie. He has a seven-point lead over the next nearest competitor. Committed to West St. Paul, Manitoba Native St. Cloud St. In the pre-season, Ingram was identified as a “C” rated prospect and rose to No. 14 on Central Scouting’s latest list, Released in January. Ingram is the son of Olympic golf coach Derek.
Pilgrimage
The USNTDP spent the weekend in Plymouth, Michigan, keeping a close eye on the U18 team. In his last three home games before leaving for the U18s in Germany, the program split a two-game set with Youngstown before a 10-1 defeat to Green Bay on Sunday.
Find out when Hold’m
Green Bay gamblers have two higher thoughts on Bridgewater, MA native Cameron Lund and Ryan Green of Paradise, NL. Two possibilities for head coach Pat Mikeesh will play in the same line. Both right shots, Green Hall centerman, Lund right winger. Lund is ranked 37th, while Green Central has checked-in at number 41 on the list. However, there seems to be a more accurate shot player available in this draft than I can remember from past drafts.
Little Lane
Interestingly, defender Lane Hutson is listed as 5-foot-9, 148 pounds on the game sheet, while NHL Central Scouting lists him as 5-foot-8, 148 pounds. No. 31 in Central’s rankings and for good reason. The three days I spent in the United States were the ones that impressed me the most. He skates well, runs errands, feels good and is a catalyst in power play.
It’s easy to argue that younger defenders aren’t effective during playoffs, but they need at least one to succeed in the regular season. This is a player that I will take chances, although I do not see a team getting so small by picking them in the first round.
Jason Bucala, a colleague and owner of The Pro Hockey Group, was impressed by Hotson’s ability to think of the game and play a number of high-risk plays.
Park that wind wheel
Frank Eye III (SN # 16) is another interesting study. From a humble beginning, the owner of a parking garage near the old Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit grew his love for the game from his parents.
Wing It
I’m not sure any player has risen more steadily at the top of the rankings than Cutter Gauthier (SN # 12). Cutter was moved from center to center in the second line, playing left wing in a line with Logan Cooley (SN # 4) in the center and Jimmy Snugarud (SN # 15) on the right.
Antifreeze is required
Cooley is the real deal. He had two goals and one assist in three weekend games, but was electrified from the ice each time. He has got fantastic vision and creativity to perform plays with fast legs and stick skills that many would not try. It was just when he was out I ranked him very low last month.
Leave it for …
Some former CHL players are happy to see their fair share in USPort. Mount Royal University’s Nolan Yaremco (TRI) has been named Player of the Year. St. FX forward Liam Howell (SOO, GUE, KIT) wins Rookie of the Year award, UNB’s Joe Gettenby (KEL, KAM) wins Player of the Year award, Ryerson wins Kyle Bowlers (SAG, OSH) award Winner, while UBC’s Rylan Toth (RDR, SEA) won the Goal of the Year award. Nicolas Matinen of Ottawa U (LDN, HAM, OSH) has been named Defenseman of the Year. Former Dalhousie Halifax assistant coach Chris Donnelly was named coach of the year.
’05s Shine
It’s never too early to start looking at the 2023 NHL draft. With names like Connor Bedard, Matthew Mitchkov, Adam Fantiley and Dalibor Dvorsky already on the radar, WHL is proud that for the first time since the 1984-85 season six, 16-year-olds have broken the 50-point threshold. In addition to Bedard, Moose Jaber is joined by Braden Yeager of Winnipeg, Jack Benson of Winnipeg, Riley Hayet of Prince George, Andrew Crystal of Vancouver, and Regina Tanner Howe. Howe is not eligible for a late birthday and 2024 draft. The former six packs include Theo Fleury, Rob Brown, Glenn Wesley, Greg Haugood, Mark Pederson and Craig Andian.
Why Noah ???
Another great year for Charlottetown defender Noah Lauan. The right-shot defender was ranked 14th overall in the 2017 QMJHL Draft and has improved since moving from Cape Breton to Charlottetown in the 2018-19 season. Invited to the Arizona camp, he was not given a contract, but the QMJHL Defender of the Year title in his bag, the fourth-leading defender scorer in the league, is probably worth a look.
Zebra
Carter Sandlock, son of Anaheim Scout and longtime NHLer Jim, made his NHL executive debut on Tuesday, March 22 in Arizona to play quotes against the Seattle Kraken. Sandlock worked on the game with former OHL official Kendrick Nicholson. The former Belleville Bull was able to collect a few souvenirs, including a stick from each team signed by all the players. The official route has become increasingly popular with former junior and college players.
More zebras
In an effort to grow and gain popularity in the department, both OHL and WHL have announced official prospect development camps to help identify future executives.
Montreal red carpet roll out
Things seem to be moving forward with the Montreal draft. Given that Live Draft has not been conducted in Vancouver since 2019, I am concerned to see if Steve Mayer and his creative team come up with any new sacrifices.
Thanks why
Many thanks to Nikki DeCarle and Carla Graamsma of CHL for all their help and efforts throughout the entire interview process leading up to the CHL / NHL Top Prospects game. There is nothing better than telling a great story on the day of the draft and we have discovered several of them.