2013 NHL Draft Rankings – War Room June Edition – Round 2

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Guest post by Eldon MacDonald (edited by @ChrisRalphTHW)

Round 2: Prospects Ranked 31 to 60

This is the third of four posts highlighting the top 120 prospects for this year’s entry draft in June in Newark, New Jersey – the 2013 NHL Draft Rankings: War Room June Edition.

Potential Round Oners in Round 2

The biggest story in round two is how many potential first rounders still remain. There really isn’t much difference between the tail end of round one to all the way up to and including number 43, Dillon Heatherington, or even beyond.

Some teams will have at least a few of these prospects in round one (that I have ranked in round two) on their big board of rankings and there is likely to be a wide disparity in rankings between teams. To understand this is a bit better, let us hone in on a few of these players.

  • 31. Chris Bigras, Owen Sound – Chris Bigras was my last cut from Round 1 and didn’t make it only because I preferred blueliners Madison Bowey and Mirco Mueller. The only criticism I ever heard against Chris is that he is good at most things but not outstanding in any. A similar player, Stuart Percy went to Toronto at 25 in the 2010-11 season and I believe Chris has the more potential of the two. For me, Chris is about 50-50 as to whether he goes in round one or two.
  • 34. Shea Theodore, Seattle – A player with outstanding skating and very high offensive potential but needs improvement in the defensive and physical aspects of the game. A team that thinks it can turn around Shea’s defensive and physical games will rank him very high, likely first round. Other teams which are looking at him based more on performances this year may have him late second or even later. If you looked at Derrick Pouliot of Portland in this year’s Memorial Cup, you got a good picture of where Shea will likely be two years from now – outstanding offensively with still more work required defensively.
  • 35. Zach Fucale, Halifax – Zach is likely to be the first goalie drafted – where he goes is dependent on when a team feels it is ready to draft a goalie; not so much on the talent of the goalie. I am betting the first goalie selected will be in the second round – given the glut of goalies available to NHL teams today.
  • 37. Justin Bailey, Kitchener – Based on results, Justin is definitely second round and not even early second round. However, Justin suffered a concussion earlier in the year and while he came back and played reasonably well on occasion, I never felt he came close to tapping his true potential. I believe he will bounce back next year and unleash much more of that potential (kind of like how Marty Frk did this year with Halifax after suffering a concussion in the 11-12 season). However, I am a sucker for tall, elegant, great skating, right-handed centres that make me reminisce of Jean Beliveau. A team that believes in Justin’s high upside could easily put him in round one.
  • 38. JT Compher, Team USA NDTP U18 – JT Compher, I had in round one in last month’s edition of the rankings, and JT Compher had an outstanding U18 tournament.  So why did I drop him to round two? Well, it is mainly because there were so many other players, bigger players, who also had an outstanding U18 as well.  He still could easily go in round one for a team wanting a two way, feisty centre with some offense.
  • 39. William Carrier, Cape Breton – William is a power forward who had an outstanding early season on an extremely bad team and looked certain that he was going in round one – maybe even in the teens. However, William’s stellar play of early season dropped off considerably for a couple of weeks and then he suffered a season ending injury. William could still be first round material to a team that can satisfy themselves that the drop-off in his game prior to his injury is something that is satisfactorily explained and easily rectifiable.
  • 40. Artturi Lehkonen, KalPa – The two things that may prevent the goal scoring Artturi from being selected in the first round are size and potential injury problems. Artturi plays a feisty game for a little guy and some of his injuries this year may have been a result of his body not standing up to his aggressive play.

Changes in Round 2 Rankings

Most of the changes below arose because I did a mock draft for my own team and found that I valued some players higher than in my previous rankings and some players not as high. Since “what is good for the goose is good for the gander”, I incorporated these leanings into my overall rankings.

  • Risers
    • 43. Dillon Heatherington, Swift Current  –  Up four spaces from 47. His size, steadiness and skating were just too impressive for me not to list him as one of the potential first rounders at 43.
    • 47. Nick Baptiste, Sudbury  –  Up eight spaces from 55. – His level of play at the U18’s was much higher than I had expected – much more creativity and willingness to do what it takes to be a difference maker.  So the eight spaces is a better recognition of the difference-making capabilities that Nick exhibited.
    • 56. John Hayden, USA NDTP U18  –  Up one space from 57.  Hayden and Fasching, I had rated almost as equals so I gave Hayden the nod as a centre.
    • 59. Spencer Martin, Mississauga  –  Up two spaces from 61. When the flood gates open for goalies, I believe there will be a deluge  – Fucale, Comrie, Jarry, Martin; maybe, Desrosiers and possibly Saros.
  • Fallers
    • 54. Jason Dickinson, Guelph  –  Down eight spaces from 46. Yes, the promise is still there but  the lack of improvement and even deterioration in his play in the latter part of the season caused me to rethink his ranking.
    • 55. Jordan Subban, Belleville  –  Down 6 spaces from 49. Still like him but I think 55 is a more realistic expectation – late 2nd.

Historic Success Rate

The historic success rate for players ranked 30 to 45 is around 33% while rankings 46 to 60 only carry a 24% success rate.

Other Rankings

  • NHL – Combined rankings of the NHL Central Scouting’s segregated final rankings
  • Bob MacKenzie – Mid-season poll of NHL scouts at TSN
  • Chris Ralph – Top 100 mid-season rankings – The Next Ones (Final rankings to be released mid-June)

2013 NHL Draft War Room – Top 120 Final Rankings – Round 2: 31 – 60

31. Bigras, Chris

  • Hashtag: MrResponsible
  • Team: #24, Owen Sound, OHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’1
  • Weight: 189 lb.
  • Born: Orillia On, 22-Feb-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 20, Bob MacKenzie 31, Chris Ralph 41
  • Twitter A/C: @Chris_Bigras
  • Profile: Ben Kerr at LastWordonSports.com
  • Quote 1: Daniel Girard @ TheTorontoStar.com, “A solid two-way defenceman with a good first pass and readiness to jump up on offence, Bigras is a key reason Owen Sound ranked second in the OHL standings behind defending champion London heading into weekend action. He leads the team in scoring among defencemen, having already eclipsed his points total from his entire rookie season. He’s also has a stellar plus-20 despite logging big minutes and facing the other teams’ top line.”
  • Quote 2: My War Room Comments from March, “The Stuart Percy of the 2013 draft – not too big, not too flashy but, boy, does he get the job done. An intellect on and off the ice, Chris is a student of the game much like Brandon Gormley of last year’s Memorial Cup winning Shawinigan Cataractes. Chris displays the character, work ethic and vision of those that are likely to become successful NHLers.”
  • Video: From Rory Boylen at TheHockeyNews.com

32. Klimchuk, Morgan

  • Hashtag: TheShooter
  • Team: # 18,Regina, WHL
  • Position: Left Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 5’11
  • Weight: 180 lb.
  • Born: Regina, SK, 2-Mar-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 33, Bob MacKenzie 32, Chris Ralph 24
  • Twitter A/C: @morganklimchuk
  • Profile 1: Ryan Pike at THW
  • Profile 2: Kirk Luedeke at HockeyJournal.com
  • Quote: Joel Gasson at NewsTalk650.com, “Morgan Klimchuk is back in Canada after a very successful World Under-18 Men’s Hockey Championship in Sochi, Russia. The Regina Pats forward finished the tournament second in team scoring with eight points, while he was impressive on the score sheet, Klimchuk might be even prouder of what he was able to do off it. When it mattered the most, in the final minute of the gold medal game, on a penalty kill, there was Klimchuk in the middle of it, even playing an important role in the huge defensive play that all but ended the game.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video: From WHL.ca

33. Hägg, Robert

  • Hashtag: MrGamePacer
  • Team: #7, MODO J20, SWE J20
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 203 lb.
  • Born: Uppsala, Sweden, 8-Feb-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 29, Bob MacKenzie 29, Chris Ralph 16
  • Twitter A/C: @Robbanhagg
  • Profile: Ben Kerr at LastWordonSports.com
  • Quote: Ryan Kennedy @ TheHockeyNews.com, “Incredibly mature for his age, Hagg has a great frame and can pass the puck at an NHL level already. Scouts want to see more passion, but there’s no denying the two-way ability he brings every night.”
  • Video: 2013 WJC U20 highlights – Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.

34. Theodore, Shea

Shea Theodore
2013 NHL Draft Eligible blueliner Shea Theodore (Shoot the Breeze Photography)

  • Hashtag: MrMotion
  • Team: #17, Seattle, WHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 182 lb.
  • Born: Aldergrove, BC, 3-Aug-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 17; Bob MacKenzie 36, Chris Ralph 31
  • Twitter A/C: @stheodore17
  • Profile 1: Andrew Eide at THW
  • Profile 2: Matt Evans at InLouWeTrust.com
  • Quote: Seattle Thunderbirds Coach, Steve Konowalchuk, @ TheProvince.com, “He has that one-on-one ability that’s pretty rare. He can make something out of nothing. With the puck, he can change the tempo of the game.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video: From Q13FOX.com

35. Fucale, Zach

  • Hashtag:  DrCoolTender
  • Team: #31, Halifax, QMJHL
  • Position: Goal
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’1
  • Weight: 181 lb.
  • Born: Rosemère, QC, 28-May-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 22, Bob MacKenzie 22, Chris Ralph 39
  • Twitter A/C: @Fucale31
  • Profile 1: Anatoliy Metter at THW
  • Profile 2: David O’Connor at THW
  • Quote 1: Ben Kerr @ LastWordonSports.com, “However it is Fucale’s skill at the backend that allows the Mooseheads to play their all out offensive style, as he is always there to make the save when a breakdown occurs.  He really is the backbone for Halifax and we rate him as the best goaltender available in the draft.”
  • Quote 2: My War Room Comments from March, “Will a goalie be selected in the 1st round this year? If the answer is yes, Zach Fucale is likely to be your man as he is the 1st goalie on the NHL Central Scouting, Bob MacKenzie’s and most other rankings. Zach reminds me of Tim Horton’s Roll Up the Rim campaign – you roll up the rim on a coffee cup and get asked to play again even if you don’t win a prize, time and time again. That’s what they do in Halifax, roll Zach out on the ice every game and then ask him to play again. However, Zach has a better winning % at 85.4% than the 25% chance of winning a prize at Tim Horton’s.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video: From NHL.com

36. McCoshen, Ian

  • Hashtag: McShutdown
  • Team: #3, Waterloo, USHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’3
  • Weight: 207 lb.
  • Born: Fairbault, MN, 5-Aug-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 33, Bob MacKenzie 32, Chris Ralph 36
  • Twitter A/C: ijmccoshen3
  • Profile: Dakota Case at THW
  • Quote: Bill Meltzer at HockeyBuzz.com, “McCoshen is a pretty safe pick relative to his projected draft position as a late first-round to late second-round. He has good size, good mobility, and a good head for the game. The Waterloo defenseman moves the puck well and has been a solid offensive contributor at the USHL level (11 goals, 44 points in 53 games).”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video: From NHL.com

37. Bailey, Justin

  • Hashtag: MrElegance
  • Team: #95, Guelph, OHL
  • Position: Centre/Right Wing
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6’3
  • Weight: 183 lb.
  • Born: Williamsville, NY, 1-Jul-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 52, Bob MacKenzie 37, Chris Ralph 40
  • Twitter A/C: @justinbailey95
  • https://twitter.com/JustinBailey95/status/331882380845522944
  • Profile: David O’Connor at THW.
  • Quote 1: NHL Central Scouting’s Chris Edwards@ NHL.com, “He’s a big guy, skates well and handles the puck well. He’s gotten used to the OHL game and adjusted well after starting out slow. He was hit harder than any time last year, but that made him a stronger player. He definitely has upside.”
  • Video 1: From NHL.com
  • Video 2: 2012-13 highlights

38. Compher, JT

  • Hashtag: MrCatalyst
  • Team: #7, USA NDTP U18, USHL
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 5’10
  • Weight: 178 lb.
  • Born: Northbrook, Il, – 8Apr-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 48, Bob MacKenzie 30, Chris Ralph 26
  • Twitter A/C: @Jcomph7
  • Profile: Shawn Reznik at THW
  • Quote: Chris Peters @ TheUnitedStatesofHockey.com, “Compher is a good skater who competes and plays with a lot of grit. He uses his speed to create and has good enough puck skills to generate offense. His shot is heavy and accurate. Compher is very much a complete hockey player.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: From HockeysFuture.com
  • Video 2: From NHL.com

39. Carrier, William

  • Hashtag: MrTurnandBurn
  • Team: #28, Cape Breton, QMJHL
  • Position: Left Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 198 lb.
  • Born: LaSalle, QC, 20-Dec-94
  • Other rankings: NHL 25, Bob MacKenzie 42, Chris Ralph 29
  • Twitter A/C: None found
  • Profile 1: Ben Kerr at LastWordonSports
  • Quote: Derek Leblanc @ “DobberSports.com, “Carrier is a power forward who will go through you if he cannot get around you. He has a long reach and uses it effectively to protect the puck. He plays a simple game and is not afraid to go to the net. Carrier has improved every year and has Hockey Canada pedigree.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video: THW

40. Lehkonen, Artturi

  • Hashtag: MrGoalScorer
  • Team: #62, KalPa, SM-liiga, Finland
  • Position: Left Wing
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 5’11
  • Weight: 163 lb.
  • Born: Piikkiö, Finland, 4-Jul-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 39, Bob MacKenzie 40, Chris Ralph 28
  • Twitter A/C: @arsilehkonen
  • Profile: Ryan Pike at THW
  • Quote: Ville Meuronen at FutureConsiderations.ca, “Lehkonen is a different kind of goal scorer. He can not only score goals with his crisp, accurate shot, but he is also an effective fore- and backchecker. Despite being raw physically he can win physical battles due to his fearlessness and smarts. He is a very smart defensive player and can be creative anticipating the play particularly in the neutral zone.”
  • Video: 2012-13 highlights

41. McCarron, Michael

  • Hashtag: McDominant
  • Team: #24, USA NDTP U18, USHL
  • Position: Right Wing
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6’5
  • Weight: 227 lb.
  • Born: Maccomb, MI, 7-Mar-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 49, Bob MacKenzie 49, Chris Ralph 80
  • Twitter A/C: @MacAttackUSA93
  • Profile: Shawn Reznik at THW
  • Quote: Chris Peters at TheUnitedStatesofHockey.com, “A revelation in the tournament, McCarron should continue his rise up many draft boards. At 6-5, 225, he doesn’t have to do much to be noticeable, but it seemed he was doing something every time out. Not just a bruising forward, McCarron showed terrific skating and puck skills. He was incredibly difficult to out battle along the boards and while he didn’t throw his weight around a ton, he showed he can be physical. McCarron has elite puck skills for a player of his size and showed both a willingness to distribute and a lack of fear of his shot, which is quite good. His footwork is solid enough and improving.”
  • Video: Uploaded to YouTube by USAHockeyHQ.

42. Lodge, Jimmy

Jimmy Lodge
2013 NHL Draft eligible forward Jimmy Lodge hopes his hot second half elevated his draft stock. (Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

  • Hashtag: MrImprovement
  • Team: #21, Saginaw, OHL
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 165 lb.
  • Born: Downingtown, PA, 5-Mar-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 30, Bob MacKenzie HM (61 to 70), Chris Ralph 88
  • Twitter A/C: @JimmyLodge21
  • Profile: Carl Maloney at THW
  • Quote: Brock Otten at OHLProspects.Blogspot.ca, “Lodge is a terrific skater who is excellent with the puck. He’s great in transition and does very well to beat defenders off the rush. He’s also got a great shot and profiles well as a goal scorer at the next level.”
  • Video: Uploaded to YouTube by DrPabloRamirez.

43. Heatherington, Dillon

  • Hashtag: MrSolidDMan
  • Team: #2, Swift Current, WHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’3
  • Weight: 196 lb.
  • Born: Calgary, AB, 9-May-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 43, Bob MacKenzie 54, Chris Ralph 93
  • Twitter A/C: None found
  • Profile: Scott Cruikshank at CalgaryHerald.com
  • Quote 1: Cody Nikolet @ WHL-from-Above.Blogspot.ca, “Heatherington is a great skating defensive defenceman with size and the ability to make a good outlet pass.  He has a low panic threshold and he’s been one of my most improved prospects over the last 12 months.  I have him rated as a 1st rounder, which is likely higher than what many other people think.”
  • Quote 2: Shawn Mullin at SwiftCurrentOnline.com, “The sophomore defenceman played a key shut down role for Canada when matched up against the other team’s top guns. He scored once in seven games, averaged 19:34 ice time per game and played over 24 minutes in the gold medal game.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video: 2012-13 Highlights – Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.

44. Duclair, Anthony

  • Hashtag: MrElectric
  • Team: #10, Quebec, QMJHL
  • Position: Left Wing
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 5’11
  • Weight: 182 lb.
  • Born: Pointe Claire, QC, 26-Jul-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 79, Bob MacKenzie 35, Chris Ralph 22
  • Twitter A/C: @aduclair10
  • Profile 1: Shawn Reznik at THW
  • Profile 2: An early season profile on Anthony at THW Combine
  • Quote 1: Ben Kerr at LastWordonSports.com, “Duclair is a fantastic skater, who has a ton of top end speed and great acceleration. He is able to stickhandle at top speed which forces defenders to back up on him on the rush as he is able to go wide and cut to the net if they don’t respect his speed and skating ability. He also has a tremendous ability to change gears and beat defenders that way. Add to that fantastic agility and great edgework and you have one of the best skaters in this draft.”
  • Quote 2: My War Room Comments from March, “Anthony is starting to put it back together after getting called out by his teammates for not being team oriented enough. Although he will have some “splaining” to do at the Combine, ultimately it is Anthony’s on ice work that will decide where he goes. I still like his electrifying speed down the ice and his ability to use his other skills (passing, stickhandling, shooting) at top speed.”
  • Video 1:

45. Comrie, Eric

  • Hashtag: TheBrickStop
  • Team: #1, Tri City, WHL
  • Position: Goal
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’1
  • Weight: 170 lb.
  • Born: Edmonton, AB, 6-Jul-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 38, Bob MacKenzie 38, Chris Ralph 44
  • Twitter A/C: @ericcomrie1
  • Profile1: Anatoliy Meter at THW
  • Profile 2: Andrew Eide at THW
  • Quote 1: Ryan Kennedy @ TheHockeyNews.com, “Comrie knows all about pros; his half-brother Mike Comrie was an NHLer for a decade, but now it’s Eric’s turn to shine. The netminder brings energy, athleticism and great reflexes to the crease, but doesn’t just rest on his physical tools.”
  • Quote 2: My War Room Comments from March, “Eric is out for the season with a hip injury. However, Eric has had to be good to get this far – His two NHL brothers, Mike and Paul, have been shooting at him since he was four or five.  I suspect some NHL teams are hoping he drops in the draft because of his injury; sorry, guys, not likely to happen.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video: Uploaded to YouTube by Fleener.

46. Petan, Nicolas

  • Hashtag: TheDifferenceMaker
  • Team: #19, Portland, WHL
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 5’9
  • Weight: 163 lb.
  • Born: Vernon, BC, 22-Mar-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 45, Bob MacKenzie 48, Chris Ralph 35
  • Twitter A/C: @petan19
  • Profile: Andrew Eide at THW
  • Quote: NHL Central Scouting’s BJ MacDonald @, NHL.com, “Petan has really improved even from the start of the year. The difference from last year is that he is playing with much more confidence and has gained a step, which allows him to drive to net. He has improved his quickness. He is beating defensemen out of the corners with his quickness. He’s improved his overall play in handling the puck and distribution to linemates. The biggest difference, though, is he has turned into a take-charge guy. He is leading his team — the team goes as he goes.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: 2012-13 Highlights – Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 2: From NHL.com

47. Baptiste, Nick

  • Hashtag: MrUnderrated
  • Team: Sudbury, OHL
  • Position: Right Wing
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6’1
  • Weight: 190 lb.
  • Born: Ottawa, ON, 4-Aug-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 84, Chris Ralph 89
  • Twitter A/C: @NickBaptiste
  • Profile: Carl Maloney at THW
  • Quote: Brock Otten @ OHLProspects.Blogspot.ca, “I’ve been really impressed by what I’ve seen of Baptiste this year. He’s already a very well rounded player and I really like his size and speed combination. For a big guy, he really moves well.”
  • Video: 2013 U18 Highlights – Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.

48. Jarry, Tristan

  • Hashtag: MrLightsOut
  • Team: #30, Edmonton, WHL
  • Position: Goal
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 181 lb.
  • Born: Vancouver, BC, 29-Apr-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 46, Bob MacKenzie HM (61 to 70), Chris Ralph 61
  • Twitter A/C: @tjarry35
  • Profile: Ryan Pike at THW
  • Quote 1: Justin Goldman, Director of Goalie Scouting for McKeen’s Hockey @ Yahoo! Sports Canada, “I love his ability to compete,” says Goldman. “I like that he’s a non-robotic butterfly goalie in a world where bigger goalies are more robotic than ever before. I like that he can make dynamic saves, like reaching a leg pad along the goal line, catching pucks by his ear and just over his shoulder, or getting pieces of elevated shots with his stick paddle. He has good natural athleticism and flexibility to go along with a solid frame. Furthermore, his ability to post such good stats as a backup is a testament to his mental game. He is a sponge; he wants to learn as much as he possibly can because he knows his playing time is limited behind Brossoit. He has strong practice habits and treats them with a serious undertone, like a game. I’d say he’s easily a top-5 goaltender and could rise depending on how he’s weighed by teams and scouts.”
  • Quote 2: My War Room Comments from December, “Tristan Jarry is currently the back-up goalie for the Edmonton Oil Kings behind Laurent Brossoit. He tried out for the Team Canda U18 squad last summer and didn’t make the squad (Zach Fucale and Eric Comrie did) in spite of not letting in any goals in the inter-squad games. So what does a good back-up goalie who doesn’t get any respect do to gain a little respect? He plays lights out good hockey, of course, with a save percentage over .930. Tristan has the demeanor to not let the little things bother him which is a good characteristic for a goalie. A top 5 goalie for the draft, maybe even higher, if continues to keep the lights out behind him like he has to date.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video: From Facebook

49. Vannelli, Tommy

  • Hashtag: MrEffortless
  • Team: #5, USA NDP U18, USHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 170 lb.
  • Born: Minnetonka, MN, 26-Jan-95
  • Commit: U of Minnesota
  • Other rankings: NHL 59, Bob MacKenzie 60
  • Twitter A/C: @Vannelli5
  • Profile: Dan Shrader at FirstRoundBust.com
  • Quote: Micheal Sonday @ McKeensHockey.com, “Vannelli has shown why the National Team Development Program wanted him in Ann Arbor .. smooth skater and methodical two-way defender with an offensive flair .. always has his head on a swivel, demonstrating exceptional awareness and hockey sense .. impressively keeps the game in front of him – does an excellent job surveying the ice and seeking out potentially dangerous situations .. excels at the transition game – can fuse himself into the rush and also has the ability to recovery quickly .. boasts excellent puckhandling talents thanks to soft hands which allow him to maneuver around opponents .. very good passer – makes a strong outlet pass to break out of the defensive zone – and can thread a precision feed through traffic .. quarterbacks the power play, exhibiting impressive patience handling the puck combined with a sharp ability to find the open man .. possesses very quick feet.”
  • Video: From HighSchoolCube.com

50. Dano, Marko

  • Hashtag: TheSlovakianSparkplug
  • Team: #14, Bratislava, KHL
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 5’11
  • Weight: 183 lb.
  • Born: Eisenstadt, Austria, 30-Nov-94
  • Other rankings: NHL 57, Bob MacKenzie 47, Chris Ralph 27
  • Twitter A/C: @DanoMarko (not used)
  • Profile: Stéphane Leroux at RDS.ca. In French, use Google Translate for English.
  • Quote 1: Russ Bitely @ Examiner.com, “Perhaps the one 2013 NHL prospect who made the most splash (at the WJC U20 Tournament) was Slovakian, Marko Dano. He finished tied for 5th in scoring for the tournament as he put up four goals and five assists in just six games. He is a well-balanced skater who is agile and shifty on his boots. He displayed some great offensive thoughts in Ufa and with that type of production in a short-term tourney it is hard not to go unnoticed.”
  • Quote 2: Derek O’Brien of Czech Hockey Report at Puckwords.com, “His hockey sense is what impresses everybody. He seems to think at a level that is uncommon for players that age. He’s skilled, but nothing that really stands out above other players in that regard. But he has the ability to find open ice and make smart plays. That’s what’s given him the ability to compete in a pro league at such a young age (17). The reason scouts are excited about him is they figure he will still mature physically and if he can improve the skills he has, he could turn out to be a great player.”
  • Video: 2013 WJC U20 Highlights: Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.

51. Diaby, Jonathan-Ismael

  • Hashtag: ThePunisher
  • Team: #3, Victoriaville, QMJHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’5
  • Weight: 231 lb.
  • Born: Blainville, QC, 16-Nov-94
  • Other rankings: NHL 51, Bob MacKenzie HM (51 to 60)
  • Twitter A/C: @Jonathan_Diaby
  • Quote 1: From Momentum.Hockey.com, “Jonathan Diaby is a 6-foot-5 and 235-pound punishing defensive defenseman playing for the Victoriaville Tigres that shows a lot of competitiveness. The native from Blainville, Quebec improved his ranking by 8 positions, going from the 45th to the 37th rank on the CSS’s final list. In 67 games played this season, the Tigres’ alternate captain showed great leadership and toughness, but also added some good numbers with 4 goals, 26 points and 117 penalty minutes, including 10 fights this season. Already well known for his robust physical play, the shutdown big d-man shows surprising skating ability and wants to improve his decision making to become an even more complete pro player.”
  • Quote: Bill Meltzer at HockeyBuzz.com, “Depending on the scouting source, Diaby is described either as a potential sleeper with second-pairing pro upside as a defensive defenseman or as a fringe prospect who could struggle to deal with the skill of pro players. He had a huge frame (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) and the toughness to make use of it.”
  • Video: Uploaded to YouTube by HockeyFightsPlus.

52. Tambellini, Adam

  • Hashtag: MrPedigree
  • Team: #9, Surrey, BCHL
  • Position: Left Wing/Centre
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’4
  • Weight: 177 lb.
  • Born: Edmonton, AB, 1-Nov-94
  • Other rankings: NHL 56, Bob MacKenzie HM (61 to 70), Chris Ralph 99
  • Twitter A/C: @atambo9
  • Profile 1: Josh Aldrich at Canada.com
  • Profile 2: Steve Ewen at LeaderPost.com
  • Quote: Surrey Eagles Head Coach and General Manager, Matt Erhart @ www.canada.com, “He’s a pure sniper, he’s got that big-league shot and release. He’s a power forward, he’s still a little bit slight, but he’s going to fill out and mature. He’s a quiet kid but he’s a very determined kid and a real good teammate . . . and he plays hard and practices hard every day. He wants to be a hockey player.”
  • Audio 1: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Audio 2: From SoundCloud.com at the RBC Cup
  • Video 1: 2012-13 Highlights – Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 2: Double overtime goal to win the Fred Page Cup for the Surrey Eagles – Uploaded to YouTube by SurreyEaglesHockey.

53. Nastasiuk, Zack

  • Hashtag: MrBlueCollar
  • Team: #27, Owen Sound, OHL
  • Position: Right Wing
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6’3
  • Weight: 210 lb.
  • Born: Barrie, ON, 30-Mar-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 19, Bob MacKenzie 54, Chris Ralph 75
  • Twitter A/C:  @ ZNasty27
  • Profile: Neate Sager at Yahoo! Sports Canada
  • Quote 1: Brock Otten @ OHLProspects.Blogspot.ca, “First thing that shocked me was the aggressiveness with Nastasiuk’s ranking (NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings) . Quite frankly, I like it. I’ve been a big supporter of the kid since he joined the league and he was amazing the final few months of the season (and has continued that on to the Under 18’s). He’s firmly in my top 10 for the league too.”
  • Quote2: My War Room Comments from December, “Screams blue collar. The work ethic, the cycle, the corners, good defense, the PK; you want a north-south guy, you got it.   Add a little first gear and a little more agility and you are starting to look at a pretty decent hockey player.”
  • Video: 2012-13 Highlights – Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video: 2013 U18 Highlights – Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.

54. Dickinson, Jason

  • Hashtag: ThePromise
  • Team: #11, Guelph, OHL
  • Position: Left Wing/Centre
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 176 lb.
  • Born: Georgetown, ON, 4-Jul-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 42, Bob MacKenzie 24, Chris Ralph 33
  • Twitter A/C: @jdickinson_11
  • Profile: Ian C McLaren at THW
  • Quote: Dominic Tiano @ “InTheRadio.com, “It’s been an up and down season for Dickinson which has been reflected in his bouncing around on this list from time to time. A solid first half statistically had people excited but a second half drop has raised some questions. He has some very noticeable skill with good size – although he needs to fill out, a very good skater with a good shot and some very noticeable leadership qualities. Dickinson is able to play any role and in any situations. He’s shown flashes of brilliance at times. He’s loaded with potential but needs to find the heart and competitiveness to do it on a consistent basis. It’s there, he has to want it and now, it’s up to him.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video 1: 2012-13 Highlights – Uploaded to YouTube by BigWhite06.
  • Video 2: Ryan Kennedy with Jason at TheHockeyNews.com.

55. Subban, Jordan

Jordan Subban
Jordan Subban set to become the third Subban brother to be drafted in the NHL joining Norris Trophy candidate PK and Bruins goalie prospect Malcolm. [photo: David Chan]
  • Hashtag: MrSubban2U
  • Team: #14, Belleville, OHL
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 5’9
  • Weight: 185 lb.
  • Born: Toronto, ON, 3-Mar-95
  • Other rankings:  NHL 75, Bob MacKenzie HM (61 to 70), Chris Ralph 62
  • Twitter A/C: @jordansubban
  • Profile: Bradshaw Furlong at HockeyHouse.net
  • Quote 1: Belleville Bulls Coach, George Burnett @ NHL.com, “Jordan’s game has developed significantly over the past season. He came into Belleville with much higher expectations than his two older brothers since he was a first-round pick (No. 5 in the 2011 OHL Draft). But his ability to make the big plays and do so in an up-tempo style makes him one of the best young defensemen in the OHL.”
  • Quote 2: Chris Edwards of NHL Central Scouting at NHL.com, “Jordan has an excellent shot that is hard and accurate. He forces the goaltenders to make a save every time. I have seen several of his point shots get tipped in front for goals.”
  • Video: From NHL.com

56. Hayden, John

  • Hashtag: MrNetDrive
  • Team: #15, USA NDTP U18, USHL
  • Position: Centre
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6’3
  • Weight: 210 lb.
  • Born: Greenwich, CT, 14-Feb-95
  • Commit: Yale
  • Other rankings: NHL 41, Chris Ralph 72
  • Twitter A/C: @hayds51
  • Profile: Chris Wassel at THW
  • Quote 1: Brendan Ross @ THW, “John Hayden, a forward blessed with great size (6-3, 216) and physical strength, has shown a willingness to win battles and employ an effective net drive. The Americans will utilize Hayden’s power forward game while he attempts to show scouts that his soft hands and offensive skills are worthy of being drafted into the National Hockey League.”
  • Quote 2: Craig Button at NHL.com on John’s performance at the U18’s, “John Hayden really, I thought, showed that he’s capable of being a lot of things. He’s big, he’s strong, he was skating more, plays with the puck. When he was shooting he was going in there with ideas how to make goalies think. He was shooting at different spots at the goalie, playing good down low. I think I’ve really seen him expand his game.”
  • Video: Uploaded to YouTube by LocalSportsJournal.

57. Fasching, Hudson

  • Hashtag: MrSpecial
  • Team: USA NDTP U18, USHL
  • Position: Right Wing
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height 6’2
  • Weight: 214 lb.
  • Born: Apple Valley, MN, 28-Jul-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 97; Bob MacKenzie 53, Chris Ralph 71
  • Twitter A/C: @Hfasching22
  • Profile: Ben Kerr at LastWordonSports.com.
  • Quote: USANTDP U18 Coach, Don Granato @ NHL.com, “He’s a power forward with very soft hands. Very good hands in tight and around the net. … He’s very instinctive about using the body to shield and protect pucks [going] to the net. He’s slippery even though he’s a big guy. Good offensive and net area instincts.”
  • Video: From NHL.com

58. Hurley, Connor

  • Hashtag: MrNo-LookPass
  • Team: #16, Edina HS, HS MN, C, L, 6’0, 180 lb.
  • Born: Eagan, MN, 15-Sep-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 60, Bob MacKenzie 55, Chris Ralph 42
  • Twitter A/C: @Cswaggs95
  • Commit: Notre Dame
  • Profile: Dan Shrader at FirstLineBust.com
  • Quote: Edina High School Coach, Curt Giles @ NHL.com, “The neat thing about him is he can go at full speed, and he can see the play and read the play,” Giles told Hockey Hub. He’s deceptively strong and can do everything. He can pass, shoot and he can skate.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video:

59. Martin, Spencer

  • Hashtag: MrDareMe
  • Team: #30, Mississauga, OHL
  • Position: Goal
  • Shoots: Left
  • Height: 6’2
  • Weight: 192 lb.
  • Born: Oakville, ON, 8-Jun-95
  • Other rankings: NHL 65, Bob MacKenzie 46, Chris Ralph 64
  • Twitter A/C: @S_Marty95
  • Profile 1: Brock Otten at OHLProspects.Blogspot.ca
  • Profile 2: Anitoliy Meter at THW
  • Quote: Dominic Tiano at IntheORadio,com, “Martin’s second half of the season wasn’t as strong as his first half and towards the end of the season even lost some starts to his backup, but when it was all said and done, when the Steelheads needed a victory in the last game of the season just for a chance at a playoff spot, Martin was there. Martin is positionally strong, aggressive, good athleticism, tracks pucks well with very good anticipation and plays a very strong butterfly. He has good size and he uses it well to close down options for shooters. If there is one area of his game that needs improving its rebound control an area that can be coached.”
  • Audio: From ThePipelineShow.com
  • Video: Highlights at YouTube

60. Pesce, Brett

  • Hashtag: MrCalm
  • Team: #22, University of New Hampshire, Hockey East
  • Position: Defense
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6’3
  • Weight: 175 lb.
  • Born: Tarrytown, NY, 15-Nov-94
  • Other rankings: NHL 54, Bob MacKenzie HM (61 to 70), Chris Ralph 77
  • Twitter A/C: None found
  • Profile: Ryan Kennedy at TheHockeyNews.com
  • Quote1: David Gregory of NHL Central Scouting at NHL.com, “He’s one of the best defenders I’ve seen at his draft age in a long, long time. He does a great job keeping the puck to the outside and when you think you’re by him, he uses his stick and body positioning as well as anybody.”
  • Quote 2: Kirk Luedeke @ The New York Hockey Journal, “Pesce is best described as a two-way defenseman who has the size and grit to be a physical, shutdown presence in his own end. How much he will rise up NHL draft boards in June will largely depend on how much the offensive element of his game develops and how teams assess his long-term potential in the pro ranks.”
  • Quote 3: My War Room Comments from March, “The former New Jersey Hitman D possesses the size, skating ability, passing success, calmness under pressure that NHL scouts are looking for. Don’t let the modest stats fool you; this guy has a future in the NHL when he adds some weight and strength.”
  • Video: Uploaded by to YouTube by HockeyEastOnLine.