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International Scouting Services Highlights Prospects for 2014 Nhl Entry Draft

WU17.005.12
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December 28, 2012
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Eighteen months before they’re eligible to hear their names called, International Scouting Services has highlighted the top prospects available for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft that will be on the ice at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Victoriaville and Drummondville, Que.

Based on its November 2012 rankings, ISS has listed the top five forwards and defenceman and top three goaltenders in its Class of 2014.

Who made the list?

TOP 5 FORWARDS (NOV. 2012 ISS RANKINGS IN PARENTHESES)

Jake Virtanen – Pacific (No. 3)
power forward … powerful stride … dominant puck possession player … good physical play … gets the puck to the net effectively … mature beyond his years … tremendous leadership qualities … uses teammates well

Joshua Ho-Sang – Ontario (No. 7)
dynamic player … can beat defenders one-on-one … offensive-minded forward … great quickness in hands and feet … pure, natural goal scorer … can be a difference maker … has ability to lift fans from their seats

Michael Dal Colle – Ontario (No. 8)
high end offensive skills … exceptional hands … tremendous vision … always dangerous when on the ice … jumps on loose pucks quickly … uses size well … very smart … team leader … impressive physical tools

Ilya Zinoviev – Russia (No. 12)
good puck control … smart player … offensive-minded forward … tremendous vision … high hockey IQ … uses edges well to spin off pressure … excellent work ethic … provides leadership … dangerous on penalty kill

Jared McCann – Ontario (No. 15)
solid two-way centre … sniper … quick release … explosive first strides … reaches full speed very quickly … very good hands … excellent offensive awareness … very high compete level … makes plays at top speed

TOP 5 DEFENCEMEN (NOV. 2012 ISS RANKINGS IN PARENTHESES)

Aaron Ekblad – Ontario (No. 1)
total package on the blue-line … understands the game better than most … intelligent in all zones … powerful stride … tremendous poise … outstanding strength … extremely high hockey IQ … makes crisp passes

Roland McKeown – Ontario (No. 4)
smooth skater … very composed … handles the puck and makes plays with poise … very mobile … very good puck-moving instincts … competes at a high level … plays in all situations … possesses a ton of physical tools

Brycen Martin – Pacific (No. 6)
offensive-minded defenceman … rarely makes bad decisions with the puck … good point shot … competes at a high level … likes to jump into the rush … very good passer … tremendous power play quarterback

Jordan Thomson – West (No. 9)
offensive defenceman … smooth skater … excellent vision … supremely-skilled passer … can create offence out of nothing … enhanced recovery ability … moves incredibly well … confident with the puck … mature

Jacob Middleton – Ontario (No. 13)
big body … excellent leadership skills … extremely competitive … does not lose many puck battles … good collection of physical tools … very mobile … plays with poise … active stick … takes away time and space well

TOP 3 GOALTENDERS (NOV. 2012 ISS RANKINGS IN PARENTHESES)

Payton Lee – Pacific (No. 1G)
poised and confident goaltender … very good focus … moves well laterally … very quick from post to post … does not let bad goals affect him … reads the play well … enjoys playing in big games … good rebound control

Kaapo Kahkonen – Finland (No. 2G)
butterfly goaltender … calm and composed … exudes confidence … tremendous rebound control … good mobility … very smooth from post to post … quick legs … tracks the puck very well … challenges the shooter

Mason McDonald – Atlantic (No. 4G)
imposing figure in goal … gives very little to the shooter … big and quick …solid fundamentals … plays a calm and composed game … outstanding reflexes and balance … makes good reads … outstanding rebound control

NOTABLE 2015 NHL DRAFT ELIGIBLE PLAYERS (NOV. 2012 ISS RANKINGS IN PARENTHESES)

Connor McDavid (F) – Ontario (No. 1)
makes players around him better … magnificent creativity with the puck … unbelievable skill level … quick feet … top-notch agility … slick hands … dangerous shot … veteran-like confidence … tremendous speed

Rasmus Andersson (D) – Sweden (No. 5)
very mobile on the power play … sees the ice extremely well … heavy shot … excellent two-way defenceman … smooth skater … plays well in all three zones … very high hockey IQ … elite-level composure … dependable

Jack Eichel (F) – United States (No. 6)
explosive skill set … excellent hockey IQ … tremendous confidence and presence … great quickness … quick stick … creates chances … natural goal scorer … hard to contain one-on-one … doesn’t shy from physical play

Ryan Pilon (D) – West (No. 9)
very composed … good two-way defenceman … great vision … makes things look easy … makes smart decisions … plays in all situations … plays with poise and confidence … very high panic threshold

Maxim Tretiak (G) – Russia (No. 2G)
tremendous size … great reflexes … very strong technically … relies on positioning to take away net … very good focus … communicates well with defencemen … challenges shooters … grandson of legendary Vladislav

UNDERAGE PLAYERS

Erik Cernak (D) – Slovakia
Luc Deschenes (D) – Atlantic
Jere Huuhka (D) – Finland
Connor McDavid (F) – Ontario
Julius Nättinen (F) – Finland
Nathan Noel (F) – Atlantic
Aleksi Saarela (F) – Finland
Felix Sandström (G) – Sweden 

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

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