The D-List: 10 Prospects to Watch For in 2011

Posted by Dan in Other Stuff

Though it is early, many of us have already frequently heard the names of prospects to watch for in 2010-11. Names like Sean Couturier, Adam Larsson, Seth Ambroz and Ryan Murphy grace most scouting sites top 10, and are seen as can’t miss blue-chip players for next years NHL Entry Draft. That being said, the crop of youngsters coming up looks very deep and very impressive, despite not having the hype of a player like Taylor Hall. 2011 may just surpass the talent level of the 2010 picks eventually, and a lot of that talent could come from the later rounds. With all the focus on who will go in the first round, I decided to look at a few guys who aren’t projected to go in the top 30, but may end up getting there by the time June 24–25, 2011 rolls around. Ten players, in no particular order, that are more than capable of making an impact for their respective junior clubs this season, and in the pros after that.


10. C, Colin Smith, Kamloops Blazers WHL, 48 GP, 5 G, 21 A, 26 PTS, 46 PTS

Despite not being overly big, at 5-foot-10, 165-pounds, you have to like the skill set of the crafty 17-year-old centre. His puck skills are mesmorizing, and his vision and hockey sense are top-notch. He may have been more productive on a veteran WHL club, as Kamloops continues to retool, but this season may be a breakout one for he and his Blazer teammates. Smith has already gained two years of WHL playoff experience, though it was short-lived, producing 3 goals and 5 points in 8 games. The Edmonton, Alberta native also represented team Pacific at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and scored 4 points (1G,3A) in 5 games.


9. G, Richard Ullberg, HIFK U18 (Jr. B SM-sarja), 13 GP, 2.32 GAA, .925 SVS%

Team Finland did not have a good showing at the 2010 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament, but it wasn’t any fault of their netminder. At 6-foot-3, 181-pounds, Richard Ullberg has tremendous size to go with sick ability between the pipes. He is quick, very agile, plays his angles well and never gives up on a puck. His numbers were impressive this season while playing with HIFK U18 in both the SM-sarja and Q divisions. The 17-year-old Ullberg posted a goals against average under 2.40 and a save percentage well over .900 in both leagues, and a spectacular 1.40 GAA and .956 SVS% in 5 playoff games last season.


8. D, Jesse Forsberg, Prince George Cougars WHL, 51 GP, 1 G, 15 A, 16 PTS

Defenseman Jesse Forsberg is another prospect that may be flying under the radar a bit because he played on a mediocre Prince George club that finished the year 12-56-1-3. And, all the talk about his younger brother Alex being the first overall pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft may have overshadowed the fact the elder Forsberg has an impressive skill set as well. The 6-foot, 196-pound Jesse is a solid blueliner that is capable at both ends of the ice. He is a strong skater that makes very good first passes, boasts a hard shot, reads the play extremely well, is good at eliminating opposing players and is an overall well-rounded d-man. The native of Waldheim, Saskatchewan put up 41 points (8G,33A) in 44 games with the SMHL’s Beardy’s Blackhawks prior to joining the WHL’s Cougars, and had two assists in 5 games at the 2010 U-17 Hockey Challenge with team West.


7. RW, Darcy Ashley, Summerside Western Capitals MJAHL, 46 GP, 26 G, 41 A, 67 PTS

Whatever Darcy Ashley lacks in size at 5-foot-8, 168-pounds, he more than makes up for with ability and work ethic. The 17-year-old right winger tore up the Maritime Junior “A” Hockey ranks in 2009-10, finishing 6th overall in league scoring. Ashley was recruited by the University of Maine, but has opted to play in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads for the upcoming 2010-11 season. He is a speedster with great offensive instincts, is very shifty and eludes defenders with ease. The rookie already impressed with an assist and a fight in a pre-season game against the Saint John Sea Dogs on August 22nd. He potted 3 goals in 5 games at the 2010 U-17’s with team Atlantic, and was a 2nd round selection (25th overall) of the Mooseheads at this year’s QMJHL Draft.


6. F, Michal Svihálek, HC Ceské Budejovice U20, 10 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 PTS

If you don’t appreciate the overall game of 5-foot-11, 180-pound Czech forward Michal Svihálek, you have to like the enthusiasm he brings to the ice. The 17-year-old just loves the game of hockey, and scoring goals, especially when it counts. He put up 4 goals and 6 points in 5 games in the playoffs with his Ceské Budejovice U18 club, 3 goals in 5 games at the U-17 WHC, and another 3 goals in 5 games at this summer’s Ivan Hlinka tourney. He has great hockey sense to go with good vision, a pro calibre shot, is a very powerful skater, and works extremely hard each shift. Injuries limited him to just 10 league games in 2009-10, but when he is healthy Svihálek is a big time contributor, as he scored 23 goals and 47 points in 39 games in 2008-09. He could be a golden find in the middle or late rounds of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, as he has all the desire and capabilities of being a future pro.


5. LW, Carter Sandlak, Guelph Storm OHL, 61 GP, 7 G, 8 A, 15 PTS

Carter Sandlak was simply bred to be a hockey player, as his father Jim put up 229 points (110G,119A) in 549 games during his 11-year NHL career. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree as Carter displays some of the same attributes as his dad, in that he is a big physical winger at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds, and he has a knack for putting the puck in the net. He is your typical power forward, that goes to the dirty areas of the ice in order to get rewarded, plays a hard-nosed style, and enjoys dropping the gloves on occasion. He had a goal and an assist to go with 33 penalty minutes in 5 games at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, en route to capturing a silver medal with team Ontario.


4. D, Oscar Klefbom, Färjestad J18, 19 GP, 6 G, 10 A, 16 PTS

If scouts didn’t know much about the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Swedish rearguard, they sure do now after his performance at this summers Ivan Hlinka tourney, as Klefbom led all defensemen in scoring with 8 points (1G,7A) in 5 games. He is a fantastic skater, and is very mobile for his size. He sees the ice extremely well, makes exceptional first passes, and has an absolute canon for a shot. With all his offensive ability, he is brilliant at quarterbacking the power play, but he is also tremedous at defending as well, and uses his long reach to his advantage when breaking up plays. Klefbom added 12 points (4G,8A) in 12 games with Färjestad in the Allsvenskan league as well, and put up 4 points (1G,3A) in 6 games at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.


3. C, Colin Jacobs, Seattle Thunderbirds WHL, 72 GP, 13 G, 13 A, 26 PTS

Colin Jacobs could easily move up into the first round if he progresses like I believe he will in the 2010-11 season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound centre is a great skater, who has a pro calibre shot, very good hands, makes those around him better, and is your prototypical power forward when it comes to doing work along the boards, driving to the net, and dropping the gloves. His hockey smarts, physical presence, and maturity level on and off the ice, is far beyond that of your average 17-year-old kid. Jacobs had a very good WHL rookie campaign, notching 26 points in 72 games with the T-birds, and also put up 2 goals and 3 points in their short-lived 4 games in the playoffs. With his first year under his belt, the sky is the limit for the youngster from Coppell, Texas.


2. F, Rocco Grimaldi, USNTDP Under-17 Team USHL, 32 GP, 11 G, 9 A, 20 PTS

It is a little shocking that 5-foot-6, 165-pound Rocco Grimaldi doesn’t rank among the top 30 in numerous scouting reports, especially when you look at his credentials. He suited up for the gold medal-winning Team USA in the 2010 World Under-18 Championship in Belarus, and tied for the team lead with 10 points in seven games, including a goal and an assist in the championship game victory over Sweden. He also led the U-17’s in scoring with the US squad, racking up 4 goals and 14 points in 6 games en route to capturing gold as well. The 17-year-old also captained the United States National Team Development Program club last season as well. His character off the ice is outstanding, and his skill on the ice is incredible. Grimaldi uses his speed, vision, shiftiness, and creativity to his advantage all over the ice, and plays the game hard. If he last past the second round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, somebody isn’t doing their job.


1. F, Todd Fiddler, Beardy’s Blackhawks SMHL, 40 GP, 44 G, 49 A, 93 PTS

It may be too early to judge where 6-foot, 200-pound Todd Fiddler will rank come draft time because he spent last year playing major midget hockey. That being said, he did impress at the 2010 World Under-17’s, racking up 3 goals and 5 points in 5 games for team West and his skill set is of exceptional quality. He is a fantastic skater, with great vision and playmaking ability, has very good hockey smarts, and can score at will. He led the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League in scoring in 2009-10 with 93 points in 40 games, and had 52 points (23G,29A) in 43 games in his first year of midget hockey in 2008-09. All signs point to the 17-year-old having a big rookie campaign for the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders who acquired the youngster from the Medicine Hat Tigers at the end of July.

Related Posts

Leave a Response


«
»

RSS Recent Articles

RSS Recent Interviews