You can’t skip December. You’ve got to do December.
OK, fine, the people have spoken. Our readers want the monthly rankings to continue with a pre-World Junior update on my top 186 prospects for the 2019 NHL draft. And it’s typically best to give the people what they want — to keep the people happy since their interest keeps us employed. They asked and I shall deliver. Tis the season for giving after all.
'2019 NHL Draft: Fisher’s Rankings Through November' from our @LarryFisher_KDC https://t.co/XyxfTtZCx7 #THW #NHLDraft #NHL pic.twitter.com/Mc4Gxi5DYq
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) December 3, 2018
I had planned to skip December — shifting my focus to the World Junior tournament, which I’ll be covering live from Vancouver — and then resume my rankings in January, but the people made a valid point that it makes sense to do another update at the holiday break for the junior leagues.
My counterpoint — made in recapping my rankings to date through November — was that so much is dependent on the World Juniors going forward. These rankings, which aren’t all that different from November, could see significant changes for January as draft-eligible standouts emerge from that best-on-best showcase.
Nevertheless, here is my latest update for December — again without any overagers, with plans to integrate them in the new year in the lead up to my eighth annual mock draft in June.
First Round
1) Jack Hughes (LC, USA, NTDP U18)
2) Kaapo Kakko (LC/RW, Finland, TPS Liiga)
3) Vasili Podkolzin (RW, Russia, SKA St. Petersburg MHL)
4) Kirby Dach (RC/RW, Canada, Saskatoon WHL)
5) Dylan Cozens (RC/RW, Canada, Lethbridge WHL)
6) Bowen Byram (LD, Canada, Vancouver WHL)
7) Peyton Krebs (LC/LW, Canada, Kootenay WHL)
8) Trevor Zegras (LC, USA, NTDP U18)
9) Matthew Boldy (LW, USA, NTDP U18)
10) Alex Newhook (LC/LW, Canada, Victoria BCHL)
11) Ryan Suzuki (LC, Canada, Barrie OHL)
12) Alex Turcotte (LC, USA, NTDP U18)
13) Philip Broberg (LD, Sweden, AIK J20)
14) Cam York (LD, USA, NTDP U18)
15) Mikko Kokkonen (LD, Finland, Jukurit Liiga)
16) Victor Söderström (RD, Sweden, Brynas J20)
17) Anttoni Honka (RD, Finland, JYP Liiga)
18) Pavel Dorofeyev (LW/RW, Russia, Magnitogorsk MHL)
19) Cole Caufield (RW, USA, NTDP U18)
20) Arthur Kaliyev (LW, USA, Hamilton OHL)
21) Raphaël Lavoie (C/RW, Canada, Halifax QMJHL)
22) Nolan Foote (LC/LW, Canada/USA, Kelowna WHL)
23) Jakob Pelletier (LW/RW, Canada, Moncton QMJHL)
24) Moritz Seider (RD, Germany, Adler Mannheim DEL)
25) Ville Heinola (LD, Finland, Lukko Liiga)
26) Lassi Thomson (RD, Finland, Kelowna WHL)
27) Kaedan Korczak (RD, Canada, Kelowna WHL)
28) Matthew Robertson (LD, Canada, Edmonton WHL)
29) Spencer Knight (G, USA, NTDP U18)
30) Connor McMichael (LC, Canada, London OHL)
31) Nathan Légaré (RW, Canada, Baie-Comeau QMJHL)
Second Round
32) John Beecher (LC, USA, NTDP U18)
33) Bobby Brink (RW, USA, Sioux City USHL)
34) Nils Hoglander (LW, Sweden, Rogle SHL)
35) Albin Grewe (LC, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)
36) Thomas Harley (LD, Canada/USA, Mississauga OHL)
37) Dustin Wolf (G, USA, Everett WHL)
38) Ilya Nikolayev (F, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)
39) Daniil Gutik (LW, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)
40) Yegor Spiridonov (LW, Russia, Magnitogorsk MHL)
41) Ben Brinkman (LD, USA, Minnesota NCAA)
42) Tobias Bjornfot (LD, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)
43) Vladislav Kolyachonok (LD, Belarus, Flint OHL)
44) Artemi Knyazev (LD, Russia, Chicoutimi QMJHL)
45) Michal Teply (RW, Czech Republic, Bili Tygri Liberec)
46) Yegor Afanasyev (F, Russia, Muskegon USHL)
47) Yaroslav Likhachyov (RW, Russia, Gatineau QMJHL)
48) Nick Robertson (LC/LW, USA, Peterborough OHL)
49) Blake Murray (LC, Canada, Sudbury OHL)
50) Henry Thrun (LD, USA, NTDP U18)
51) Alex Vlasic (LD, USA, NTDP U18)
52) Simon Holmstrom (RW/LW, Sweden, HV71 J20)
53) Xavier Simoneau (LW/LC, Canada, Drummondville QMJHL)
54) Valentin Nussbaumer (LC/LW, Switzerland, Shawinigan QMJHL)
55) Maxim Cajkovic (RW/LW, Slovakia, Saint John QMJHL)
56) Drew Helleson (RD, USA, NTDP U18)
57) Hugo Has (RD, Czech Republic, Tappara Liiga)
58) Ryan Johnson (LD, USA, Sioux Falls USHL)
59) John Farinacci (RC, USA, NTDP U18)
60) Marcus Kallionkieli (F, Finland, Sioux City USHL)
61) Matvei Guskov (LC, Russia, London OHL)
62) Josh Williams (RW, Canada, Medicine Hat WHL)
Third Round
63) Sasha Mutala (RW, Canada, Tri-City WHL)
64) Luke Toporowski (LW, USA, Spokane WHL)
65) Oleg Zaitsev (LC, Russia, Red Deer WHL)
66) Robert Mastrosimone (LC, USA, Chicago USHL)
67) Samuel Poulin (LW, Canada, Sherbrooke QMJHL)
68) Phillip Tomasino (RC, Canada, Niagara OHL)
69) Billy Constantinou (RD, Canada, Kingston OHL)
70) Michael Vukojevic (LD, Canada, Kitchener OHL)
71) Mads Sogaard (G, Denmark, Medicine Hat WHL)
72) Nolan Maier (G, Canada, Saskatoon WHL)
73) Hugo Alnefelt (G, Sweden, HV71 J20)
74) Cameron Rowe (G, USA, NTDP U18)
75) Hunter Jones (G, Canada, Peterborough OHL)
76) Matias Maccelli (LW, Finland, Dubuque USHL)
77) Patrik Puistola (LW, Finland, Tappara U20)
78) Dmitri Sheshin (RW, Russia, Magnitogorsk MHL)
79) Vojtech Strondala (LC, Czech Republic, Kometa Brno)
80) Dillon Hamaliuk (LW, Canada, Seattle WHL)
81) Vladimir Alistrov (LW, Belarus, Edmonton WHL)
82) Henri Nikkanen (LC, Finland, Jukurit Liiga)
83) Leevi Aaltonen (LW, Finland, KalPa Liiga)
84) Vladislav Firstov (F, Russia, Waterloo USHL)
85) Mikhail Abramov (RW, Russia, Victoriaville QMJHL)
86) Nikita Alexandrov (LC, Germany/Russia, Charlottetown QMJHL)
87) Marcel Barinka (F, Czech Republic, Halifax QMJHL)
88) Xavier Parent (LW, Canada, Halifax QMJHL)
89) Logan Barlage (RC/RW, Canada, Lethbridge WHL)
90) Tag Bertuzzi (LW, Canada, Guelph OHL)
91) Martin Lang (LW, Czech Republic, Kamloops WHL)
92) Harrison Blaisdell (LW, Canada, Chilliwack BCHL)
93) Massimo Rizzo (LC/LW, Canada, Penticton BCHL)
Fourth Round
94) Shane Pinto (RW, USA, Lincoln USHL)
95) Anthony Romano (RW, Canada, Sioux Falls USHL)
96) Ty Jackson (LC, Canada, Dubuque USHL)
97) Nikola Pasic (LC, Sweden, Linkoping J20)
98) Elmer Soderblom (LW, Sweden, Frolunda J20)
99) Arvid Costmar (RC, Sweden, Linköping J20)
100) Karl Henriksson (LC/LW, Sweden, Frolunda J20)
101) Antti Saarela (LC/LW, Finland, Lukko Liiga)
102) Matias Mäntykivi (LC, Finland, SaiPa U20)
103) Brady Meyer (LC, USA, Des Moines USHL)
104) Trevor Janicke (RW, USA, Central Illinois USHL)
105) Ryder Donovan (RC, USA, Team North High School)
106) Isaiah Saville (G, USA, Tri-City USHL)
107) Taylor Gauthier (G, Canada, Prince George WHL)
108) Trent Miner (G, Canada, Vancouver WHL)
109) Judd Caulfield (RW, USA, NTDP U18)
110) Alex Beaucage (RW, Canada, Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL)
111) Yegor Serdyuk (RW, Russia, Victoriaville QMJHL)
112) Brooklyn Kalmikov (LW, Canada, Cape Breton QMJHL)
113) Jordan Spence (RD, Canada, Moncton QMJHL)
114) Andrei Pribylskiy (RD, Russia, Dynamo Moskva KHL)
115) Ilya Mironov (LD, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)
116) Roman Bychkov (LD, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)
117) Albert Johansson (LD, Sweden, Farjestad SHL)
118) Simon Lundmark (RD, Sweden, Linkoping J20)
119) Case McCarthy (RD, USA, NTDP U18)
120) Marshall Warren (LD, USA, NTDP U18)
121) Antti Tuomisto (LD, Finland, Assat U20)
122) Kim Nousiainen (LD, Finland, KalPa Liiga)
123) Jake Lee (LD, Canada, Seattle WHL)
124) Cole Moberg (LD, Canada, Prince George WHL)
Fifth Round
125) Reece Newkirk (LC, Canada, Portland WHL)
126) Alex Campbell (LW/LC, Canada, Victoria BCHL)
127) Jamieson Rees (LC, Canada, Sarnia OHL)
128) Graeme Clarke (RW, Canada, Ottawa OHL)
129) Danil Antropov (RW, Canada/Kazakhstan, Oshawa OHL)
130) Colten Ellis (G, Canada, Rimouski QMJHL)
131) Victor Ostman (G, Sweden, HV71 J20)
132) Vladimir Sartakov (G, Russia, Avto Yekaterinburg MHL)
133) Yegor Chinakhov (F, Russia, Omskie Yastreby MHL)
134) Michal Mrazik (LW, Slovakia, Rögle BK J20)
135) Kalle Loponen (RD, Finland, Kärpät U20)
136) Iivari Rasanen (LD, Finland, Tappara U20)
137) Daniil Misyul (LD, Russia/Belarus, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)
138) Nikita Vashchenko (LD, Russia, SKA-Varyagi Morozova MHL)
139) Nikita Okhotyuk (LD, Russia, Ottawa OHL)
140) Cade Webber (LD, USA, NTDP U18)
141) Grant Silianoff (F, USA, Cedar Rapids USHL)
142) Josh Nodler (RC, USA, Fargo USHL)
143) Cole Mackay (RW, Canada, Sault Ste. Marie OHL)
144) Nick Porco (LW, Canada, Saginaw OHL)
145) Keean Washkurak (LC, Canada, Mississauga OHL)
146) Kyen Sopa (RW, Switzerland, Niagara OHL)
147) Konsta Hirvonen (LC/LW, Finland, HIFK U20)
148) Valtteri Ojantakanen (F, Finland, Jokerit U20)
149) Wiljami Myllyla (F, Finland, HIFK U20)
150) Aku Raty (RW, Finland,Kärpät U20)
151) Max Wahlgren (LC/LW, Sweden, Modo J20)
152) Jacob Grönhagen (LC, Sweden, HV71 J20)
153) Adam Beckman (LW/LC, Canada, Spokane WHL)
154) Brayden Tracey (LW, Canada, Moose Jaw WHL)
155) David Kope (RW, Canada, Edmonton WHL)
Sixth Round
156) Sergei Alkhimov (F, Russia, Regina WHL)
157) Alexei Protas (LC, Belarus, Prince Albert WHL)
158) Filip Prikryl (LC/RW, Czech Republic, Saint John QMJHL)
159) Patrick Moynihan (RW, USA, NTDP U18)
160) Michael Gildon (F, USA, NTDP U18)
161) Danny Weight (F, USA, NTDP U18)
162) Lynden Breen (F, Canada, Central Illinois USHL)
163) Mike Koster (LD, USA, Team Northeast High School)
164) Dominick Fensore (LD, USA, NTDP U18)
165) Quinn Schmiemann (LD, Canada, Kamloops WHL)
166) Gianni Fairbrother (LD, Canada, Everett WHL)
167) Maxence Guenette (RD, Canada, Val-d’Or QMJHL)
168) Oliver Turan (RD, Slovakia, Drummondville QMJHL)
169) Andrew Perrott (RD, USA/Canada, London OHL)
170) Lev Starikov (LD, Russia, Windsor OHL)
171) Roope Taponen (G, Finland, HIFK U20)
172) Kari Piiroinen (G, Finland, Windsor OHL)
173) Mack Guzda (G, USA/Canada, Owen Sound OHL)
174) Ethan Anders (G, Canada, Red Deer WHL)
175) Roman Basran (G, Canada, Kelowna WHL)
176) Albert Lyckasen (RD, Sweden, Linköping J20)
177) Emil Malysjev (LD, Sweden/Russia, Saskatoon WHL)
178) Nikita Sedov (LD, Russia, Regina WHL)
179) Braden Doyle (LD, USA, Boston Jr. Bruins NCDC)
180) Jackson LaCombe (LD, USA, Shattuck St. Mary’s Midget Prep)
181) Will Francis (RD, USA, Cedar Rapids USHL)
182) Layton Ahac (LD, Canada, Prince George BCHL)
183) Sean Larochelle (RD, Canada, Victoriaville QMJHL)
184) Brett Budgell (LC, Canada, Charlottetown QMJHL)
185) Ethan Phillips (RC, Canada, Sioux Falls USHL)
186) Austen Swankler (LC, USA, Waterloo USHL)
On My Radar (230)
NOTE: All first-time draft-eligibles listed by position in alphabetical order.
Forwards (133)
Ilya Altybarmakyan (LW/RW, Russia, SKA-Varyagi im. Morozova MHL)
Isac Andersson (LC/LW, Sweden,Frölunda J20)
Filiph Åström (LC/LW, Sweden, Frolunda J20)
Jan Bambula (LW/RW, Czech Republic, AZ Havirov)
Dan Bartos (RW, Czech Republic, HC Litvinov U19)
Danil Bashkirov (F, Russia, Tolpar Ufa MHL)
John Beaton (LC, Canada, Kemptville CCHL)
Martin Beranek (RW/LW, Czech Republic, Ceske Budejovice)
Daniil Berestnev (LW, Russia, Val-d’Or QMJHL)
Marek Berka (LW, Czech Republic, HC Litvinov U19)
Tomas Bernat (RW, Czech Republic, Rytiri Kladno U19)
Jan Bernovsky (RW, Czech Republic, HC Vitkovice U19)
Kyle Bettens (RW/RC, Canada/USA, Fargo USHL)
Luke Bignell (LC, Canada, Barrie OHL)
Mathieu Bizier (LC, Canada, Rimouski QMJHL)
Oscar Bjerselius (LC, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)
Kaden Bohlsen (RC, USA, Des Moines USHL)
Jonathan Brinkman (LW, Denmark, Aalborg Pirates)
Kieran Brown (F, England, Sheffield EIHL)
Ethan Browne (LC, Canada, Prince George WHL)
Petr Cajka (LC/LW, Czech Republic, Erie OHL)
Joe Carroll (LW, Canada, Sault Ste. Marie OHL)
Filip Cenka (LC, Slovakia, Team Slovakia U20)
Erik Cermak (LW, Czech Republic, Peterborough OHL)
Alexander Cherny (LW/RW, Russia, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva MHL)
Rob Christy (LW, USA, Team Southeast High School)
Eric Ciccolini (RW, Canada, Toronto Jr. Canadiens OJHL)
Matous Cmiel (RW, Czech Republic, HC Trinec U19)
Liam Connors (RW, USA, St. Sebastian’s High School)
Daniel D’Amico (LW, Canada, Windsor OHL)
Maxim Denezhkin (LC, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)
Gabriel Denis (LC, Canada, Shawinigan QMJHL)
Graham Dickerson (RW, Canada, Kitchener OHL)
Michael Drabek (LC, Czech Republic, Bili Tygri Liberec U19)
Ryan Drkulec (F, USA, Waterloo USHL)
Carson Dyck (F, Canada, Okotoks AJHL)
Lucas Edmonds (RW, Sweden/Canada, Karlskrona J20)
Adam Edström (LC, Sweden, Mora J20)
Charles Eklund (RW/LW, Sweden, Mora SHL)
Nicolas Ferenyi (LW/LC, Slovakia, Dukla Trencin U20)
Lucas Feuk (LC/LW, Sweden, Sodertalje J20)
Tarun Fizer (RW, Canada, Victoria WHL)
Garrett Foster (RW, USA, Phillips Exeter Academy)
Jordan Frasca (LC, Canada, Windsor OHL)
Martin Friden (LW, Sweden, Vaxjo J20)
Amir Garayev (LW, Russia, Kapitan Stupino, MHL)
Ty Glover (LC, Great Britain/Canada, Buffalo Jr. Sabres OJHL)
Andrej Golian (LW, Slovakia, Team Slovakia U20)
Alexander Gordin (F, Russia, SKA-Varyagi Morozova MHL)
Gustav Green (LC, Denmark, Rungsted Seier Capital)
Robert Griffin (RC, USA, Boston Jr. Bruins NCDC)
Arseni Gritsyuk (F, Russia, Omskie Yastreby MHL)
Aaron Huglen (F, USA, Fargo USHL)
Aarne Intonen (LC, Finland, TPS U20)
Dylan Jackson (RW, Canada, Dubuque USHL)
Mikkel Jensen (LC, Denmark, SønderjyskE)
Wilson Johansson (RW, Sweden, Färjestad J20)
Daniel Jouza (LW, Czech Republic, HC Litvinov U19)
Jackson Jutting (LC, USA, Minnesota NAHL)
David Karlstrom (LC/RW, Sweden, AIK J20)
Ivan Kazakov (LW/LC, Russia, Kapitan Stupino, MHL)
Ethan Keppen (LW, Canada, Flint OHL)
Nino Kinder (LC, Germany, Eisbären Juniors Berlin U20)
Jami Krannila (LC, Finland, Sioux Falls USHL)
Trevor Kuntar (LC, USA, Youngstown USHL)
Anton Larsson (LC/LW, Sweden, Djurgarden J20)
Ethan Leyh (LW, Canada, Langley BCHL)
Owen Lindmark (RC, USA, NTDP U18)
Josh Lopina (RC, USA, Lincoln USHL)
David Maniacek (LW/RW, Slovakia, Dukla Trencin U20)
Kosta Manikis (RC, Canada, Stouffville OJHL)
Felix-Antoine Marcotty (RW, Canada, Chicoutimi QMJHL)
Cullen McLean (LC, Canada, Sault Ste. Marie OHL)
Peter Melcher (LW, Slovakia, Everett WHL)
Arlo Merritt (LC, Canada, Kimball Union High School)
Julian Mettler (LW/LC, Switzerland, Kloten NLB)
Vladislav Mikhailov (LC, Russia, Dynamo Moskva MHL)
Cody Morgan (RC, Canada, Windsor OHL)
Alex Morozoff (LC, Canada, Red Deer WHL)
Koby Morrisseau (LC, Canada, Regina WHL)
Brad Morrissey (RW, Canada, Tri-City USHL)
Gleb Murtazin (F, Russia, Green Bay USHL)
Radek Muzik (RW/LW, Czech Republic, Luleå J20)
Adam Najman (F, Czech Republic, Bili Tygri Liberec)
Vincent Nardone (LW, Canada, Flin Flon SJHL)
Nikita Nesterenko (LC, USA, New Jersey Jr. Titans 18U)
Jackson Niedermayer (LW, USA/Canada, Penticton BCHL)
Zachary Okabe (F, Canada/Australia, Grande Prairie AJHL)
Quinn Olson (LW, Canada, Okotoks AJHL)
Ilya Ovechkin (F, Russia, Kapitan Stupino MHL)
Tyler Paquette (RW, USA, Des Moines USHL)
Juuso Pärssinen (LC, Finland, TPS U20)
Bailey Peach (RW, Canada, Sherbrooke QMJHL)
Jonas Peterek (RW, Czech Republic, Frydek-Mistek)
Mikko Petman (RW, Finland, Lukko Liiga)
Garrett Pinoniemi (LC, USA, Team Northeast High School)
Rhett Pitlick (LW, USA, Team Southwest High School)
Denis Pochivalov (F, Russia, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod KHL)
Mason Primeau (LC, Canada, Guelph OHL)
Patrik Prymula (F, Czech Republic, Sparta Praha U18)
Ondrej Psenicka (RW/LW, Czech Republic, Sparta Praha U19)
Henrik Rybinski (LW/RW, Canada, Medicine Hat WHL)
Jakub Rychlovský (LC, Czech Republic, Bili Tygri Liberec U19)
Ilya Safonov (LC, Russia, Irbis Kazan MHL)
Jan Sarvas (LW/RW, Slovakia, Banska Bystrica U20)
Dean Schwenninger (LC, Switzerland, Zug U20)
Cole Schwindt (RW, Canada, Mississauga OHL)
Maxim Shabanov (LC, Russia, Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk MHL)
Vladislav Shutov (RW/RC, Russia, Reaktor Nizhnikamsk MHL)
Carl Sjöberg (RW/LC, Sweden, Örebro J20)
Dominik Sklenar (LW, Czech Republic, Hradec Kralove U19)
Dominik Sojka (LC, Slovakia, Banska Bystrica U20)
Emmett Sproule (LW/LC, Canada, Erie OHL)
Sam Stange (RW, USA, Team Wisconsin High School)
Daniil Stepanov (RC, Belarus, Moose Jaw WHL)
Keegan Stevenson (RC, Canada, Guelph OHL)
Yves Stoffel (RW/LW, Switzerland, Zug U20)
Albin Sundsvik (LC, Sweden, Skelleftea J20)
Matthew Sutton (RW, USA, Gilmour Academy)
Premysl Svoboda (LW, Czech Republic, HC Litvinov U19)
Alex Swetlikoff (LC, Canada, Vernon BCHL)
Daniil Tesanov (RW, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)
Daniel V. Tkac (LC/LW, Slovakia/USA, Merritt BCHL)
Matej Toman (LW, Czech Republic, Prince George WHL)
Alexei Tsyplakov (LW, Russia, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg MHL)
Ilya Usov (LW/LC, Belarus, Salisbury High School)
Yannik Valenti (RW, Germany, Vancouver WHL)
Adrian Valigura (LW, Slovakia, HK Poprad U20)
Joel Wahlgren (LC/LW, Sweden, Modo J20)
Jacob Winterton (LW, Canada, Flint OHL)
Alex Young (RC, Canada, Canmore AJHL)
Tyler Young (RW, USA, Lawrence Academy)
Patriks Zabusovs (F, Latvia, Riga MHL)
Danil Zinovyev (LW/LC, Russia, Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk MHL)
Defencemen (80)
David Aebischer (RD, Switzerland, Gatineau QMJHL)
Cade Alami (LD, USA, Mid-Fairfield Rangers U18)
Yegor Alanov (LD, Germany/Russia, Vaxjo J20)
Jacson Alexander (LD, Canada, Edmonton WHL)
Malik Alishlalov (LD, Russia, Mid-Fairfield Rangers U18)
Nathan Allensen (LD, Canada, Barrie OHL)
Nicklas Andrews (LD, USA, Brookings NAHL)
Vadim Antipin (LD, Russia, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk MHL)
Yegor Arbuzov (LD, Russia, Spokane WHL)
Jarrett Baker (LD, Canada, Drummondville QMJHL)
Luke Bast (LD, Canada, Brooks AJHL)
Samuel Bolduc (LD, Canada, Blainville-Boisbriand QMJHL)
Mitchell Brewer (LD, Canada, Oshawa OHL)
Jonas Brondberg (LD, Denmark, Växjö Lakers J20)
Mitchell Brown (RD, Canada, Tri-City WHL)
Yegor Bryutov (LD, Russia, Tyumenski Legion MHL)
Nikolai Burenov (LD, Russia, Russkie Vityazi Chekhov MHL)
Semyon Chistyakov (LD, Russia, Tolpar Ufa MHL)
Chase Felgueiras (RD, Canada, Humboldt SJHL)
Cedric Fiedler (LD, Switzerland/USA, Fargo USHL)
Joey Foss (LD, USA, Odessa NAHL)
Ethan Frisch (RD, USA, Green Bay USHL)
Chris Giroday (LD, Canada, Green Bay USHL)
Mikhail Gonchar (LD, Russia/USA, Shattuck St. Mary’s Midget Prep)
Clay Hanus (LD, USA, Portland WHL)
Santeri Hatakka (LD, Finland, Jokerit U20)
Ludvig Hedstrom (LD, Sweden, Djurgårdens J20)
Mathew Hill (LD, Canada, Barrie OHL)
Albin Hjalmarsson (LD, Sweden, Djurgardens J20)
Matej Ilencik (LD, Slovakia, Södertälje J18)
Christopher Inniss (RD, Canada, Rimouski QMJHL)
Samuel Johannesson (RD, Sweden, Rogle J20)
Nolan Jones (LD, Canada, Lethbridge WHL)
Zac Jones (LD, USA, Tri-City USHL)
Jakub Kleiner (RD, Czech Republic, Pirati Chomutov U19)
Jan Klodner (LD, Czech Republic, Zdar nad Sazavou U19)
Luke Krys (RD, USA/Canada, Salisbury High School)
Noah Laaouan (RD, Canada, Cape Breton QMJHL)
Grayson Ladd (RD, Canada, Windsor OHL)
Nathan Larose (RD, Canada, Saint John QMJHL)
Matus Lukas Lavicka (LD, Slovakia, Team Slovakia U20)
Jacob LeGuerrier (RD, Canada, Sault Ste. Marie OHL)
Jonatan Lundgren (LD, Sweden, Skelleftea J20)
Alexander Lundqvist (LD, Sweden, Leksands J20)
Yegor Martynov (LD, Russia, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk MHL)
Evan McIntyre (LD, Canada, Cedar Rapids USHL)
Christopher Merisier-Ortiz (LD, Canada, Baie-Comeau QMJHL)
Mason Millman (LD, Canada, Saginaw OHL)
Jan Mlcak (LD, Czech Republic, Kometa Brno U19)
Cooper Moore (LD, USA, Mid-Fairfield Rangers U18)
Tommy Pasanen (RD, Germany/Finland, Sioux City USHL)
Thomas Pelletier (RD, Canada, Drummondville QMJHL)
Lucas Peric (LD, Canada, Ottawa OHL)
Alexander Popovic (LD, Sweden, MODO J20)
Jordan Power (LD, Canada, Lincoln USHL)
Kirby Proctor (LD, Canada, Des Moines USHL)
Moritz Raab (LD, Germany, Jungadler Mannheim U20)
Jasper Rannisto (LD, Finland, Blainville-Boisbriand QMJHL)
Patrik Rasin (LD, Czech Republic, Dukla Jihlava U19)
Liam Ross (LD, Canada, Sudbury OHL)
Ryan Siedem (RD, USA, Central Illinois USHL)
Joonas Sillanpaa (LD, Finland, Kamloops WHL)
Brian Silver (RD, USA, Omaha USHL)
Roman Sinitsyn (LD, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)
Samuel Sjölund (LD, Sweden/USA, AIK J20)
Hunter Skinner (RD, USA, Muskegon USHL)
Nathan Staios (LD, Canada/USA, Windsor OHL)
Mikhail Stikhanovsky (LD, Russia, Mamonty Yugry MHL)
Jayden Struble (LD, USA, St. Sebastian’s High School)
Adam Subrt (LD, Czech Republic, HC Litvinov U19)
Jiri Suhrada (LD, Czech Republic, Pelicans U20)
David Turecek (RD, Czech Republic, Karlovy Vary U19)
Dmitri Tyuvilin (LD, Russia, Loko Yaroslavl MHL)
Zach Uens (LD, Canada, Wellington OJHL)
Igor Usmanov (LD, Russia, Lada Togliatti VHL)
Jackson van de Leest (LD, Canada, Calgary WHL)
Ondrej Volrab (RD, Czech Republic, Rytiri Kladno U19)
Jack York (RD, Canada, Kitchener OHL)
Jakub Zurek (LD, Czech Republic, Bili Tygri Liberec U19)
Goaltenders (17)
Tobias Ancicka (G, Germany, Eisbären Juniors Berlin U20)
Boston Bilous (G, Canada, Edmonton WHL)
Luke Cavallin (G, Canada/England, Flint OHL)
Matthew Davis (G, Canada, Spruce Grove AJHL)
Nicolas Daws (G, Canada, Guelph OHL)
Samuel Hlavaj (G, Slovakia, Team Slovakia U20)
Tomas Keinänen (G, Finland, TPS U20)
Patrik Kozel (G, Slovakia, Liptovsky Mikulas U20)
Derek Mullahy (G, USA, Dexter High School)
Marcus Nygren (G, Sweden, MODO J20)
Lukas Parik (G, Czech Republic, Bili Tygri Liberec U19)
Adam Romancik (G, Slovakia, Skalica U20)
Jan Skorpik (G, Czech Republic, Sparta Praha U19)
Logan Stein (G, USA, Waterloo USHL)
Henrik Tikkanen (G, Finland, HIFK U20)
Tomas Vlk (G, Czech Republic, Pardubice U19)
Jack Williams (G, USA, Springfield NAHL)
Final Thoughts
As mentioned, I didn’t shake up my first round all that much or add in too many new names for December. Nothing overly exciting, more so staying the course from November.
That’s not to say there weren’t a fair number of risers and fallers — there were plenty, as always from month to month — but I’m expecting more movement from top to bottom for January.
I did add a handful of names to my radar — upping the total from 225 to 230, in addition to my 186 ranked prospects for a grand total of 416 first-time eligibles for 2019 — and I can tell you my highest debutant for December was Moose Jaw forward Brayden Tracey at the end of my fifth round (No. 154).
Remember the name Tarun Fizer too, another WHL forward from Victoria who nearly made my top 186 and who is reminding me a bit of Royals alum Matthew Phillips. Fizer wasn’t on NHL Central Scouting’s latest Players to Watch list from November — an omission among hundreds of names — and seems to be flying under the radar in the scouting community right now.
Four more honourable mentions, if you will, include OHL forward Joe Carroll and QMJHL defenceman Samuel Bolduc — both named to next month’s CHL Top Prospects Game — as well as Russian blueliner Semyon Chistyakov, who shockingly appeared at No. 43 for Craig Button in December, and goaltender Matthew Davis, who was impressive in backstopping Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge and has been enjoying a stellar season in the AJHL.
I was tempted to make room for those five in my top 186 for December, so don’t be surprised to see any or all of them show up somewhere in my January rankings.
Until then, I’ll look forward to experiencing the World Juniors in person — as both a media member and a scout — while further evaluating the draft-eligible talent on display in that tournament.