Welcome to my latest updated Part 3 Rankings of the top thirty-two players eligible for selection in the upcoming 2023 NHL Entry Draft. With the completion of the recent Under-20 World Junior Hockey Championships and the 2022-23 regular season at its halfway mark, enough time has passed that I can now make a more accurate assessment of the talent available and where they fit into the overall order. This draft class has received a ton of hype over the last couple of years, and it is certainly deserving of it. There are some real gamebreakers available at the very top (more on them later), but it is also the staggering depth of this group that sets it apart from any other in recent history (or since 2015 anyways). Take the U20 World Juniors tournament, for instance. There were numerous 17/18-year old draft eligibles playing important roles for their respective clubs, including Team Canada’s Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, Team USA’s Charlie Stramel and Gavin Brindley, Team Sweden’s Leo Carlsson and Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Team Czechia’s Eduard Sale and Team Slovakia’s Dalibor Dvorsky (to name just a few). To have that many star-caliber prospects competing at the top U20 international level as underagers is extremely uncommon and speaks to the tremendous talent found within the class of 2023.
My previous Part 2 list was published back in October and, with two-plus months and thirty-or-so games between rankings, there has obviously been plenty of movement in the order since then. While 2023 still appears to be a down year for defense prospects, a few blue-chip blueliners have recently begun to emerge and make names for themselves as potential mid-to-high-first round selections. NHL general managers seeking a top-six centerman or winger to add to their stable will find plenty to choose from this year, and particularly so if they hold a pick within the top fifteen or twenty overall.
I don’t want to bore you with a long, drawn-out introduction, so instead let’s just get to the list. You are going to disagree with some of my placements I’m sure (which is simply par for the course when it comes to passionate hockey fans) but I will break down the reasoning behind my choices as we go along so you at least understand why I made the decisions that I did. Without further ado, then, here are my Part 3 Rankings:
THE TOP 32 PROSPECTS
1. Connor Bedard ,C, Regina Pats (WHL)
Part 1 Rank: 1
Part 2 Rank: 1
Born: July 17, 2005
Size: 5’10”, 185 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (U20-WJC: 7gp-9g14a-23pts) (WHL: 29gp-31g39a-70pts)
If you had any doubts regarding Connor Bedard’s status as a generational phenom, his performance at the U20 WJC should serve as concrete proof that the 5’10” center is exactly that. After winning gold with Team Canada just five months prior at the restarted edition of last year’s tournament, Bedard put together the most dominant showing in history by an under-18 player with a mindboggling 23 points (9g14a) in 7 games as Canada won a second straight gold medal. He led all players in scoring by a 9-point margin to claim MVP and Best Forward honours, breaking a number of long-standing records along the way. The Regina Pats captain already packs some of the most fearsome goal scoring abilities we have ever seen in a 17-year old prospect, and now this season his playmaking has become an equally potent weapon in his offensive arsenal (which is really saying something). All Bedard has done since earning exceptional player status in 2020 is rack up points, individual awards, and gold medals at an incredible rate, and with 28 games remaining in the 2022-23 WHL regular season schedule he isn’t finished setting the hockey world on fire just yet.
2. Matvei Michkov ,RW, HK Sochi (KHL)
Part 1 Rank: 2
Part 2 Rank: 2
Born: December 9, 2004
Size: 5’10”, 159 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (VHL: 12gp-10g4a-14pts) (KHL: 10gp-3g1a-4pts)
Despite the majority of scouting sources listing someone other than Matvei Michkov as the number two prospect in this draft, the superstar Russian right winger is still second overall in my rankings by a fairly wide margin. His SKA-St. Petersburg club moved him to HK Sochi of the KHL on loan for the rest of the season, and Michkov has responded with 3 goals and 4 points in 7 games since then. When combined with his stellar production in the second-tier VHL (10 goals and 14 points in 12 games) it is clear the 5’10”, 159-lb. sniper is a phenomenally gifted goal scorer whose jaw-dropping skillset has the potential to make him one of the greatest players his country has ever put forth. His KHL contract is unfortunate (especially for NHL fans who won’t be able to watch him play for at least another three years) but Michkov will undoubtedly be well worth the wait. We haven’t seen an 18-year old dominate at the Russian men’s level like he is since “The Great 8” Alex Ovechkin nearly twenty years ago. That should tell you a little bit about how insanely good he truly is.
3. Leo Carlsson ,C/RW, Orebro HK (SHL)
Part 1 Rank: 3
Part 2 Rank: 3
Born: December 26, 2004
Size: 6’3”, 194 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (U20-WJC: 7gp-3g3a-6pts) (SHL: 25gp-3g11a-14pts)
After a scorching start to his sophomore SHL season that saw him notch 10 points (2g8a) in his first 12 games, Carlsson cooled down and has recorded just 4 points (1g3a) in his next 13 contests. The big 6’3” Swede maintains his spot inside the top three of my rankings regardless, and his strong showing for Team Sweden at the U20 WJC is a huge reason why. Though almost all of his forward teammates failed to contribute offense to their actual capabilities, Carlsson (the second-youngest member of the squad) put up an excellent 6 points (3g3a) in 7 games (technically 6 games, as he missed one preliminary match due to illness) and demonstrated the impactful two-way brand of hockey he is finally becoming known for. It wasn’t just that he scored, either, but when he scored that impressed the most. The versatile forward posted 2 of Sweden’s 3 goals in their overtime victory against the rival Finns that pushed the team through to the medal rounds, then notched 2 points (1g1a) in the bronze medal game for good measure (an 8-7 OT loss to Team USA). Not only is he an exceptionally gifted point producer with size, skating, smarts and skill, but he is a timely point producer who knows when to raise the level of his game to match the setting too.
4. Adam Fantilli ,C, University of Michigan (NCAA)
Part 1 Rank: 5
Part 2 Rank: 4
Born: October 12, 2004
Size: 6’2”, 195 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (U20-WJC: 7gp-2g3a-5pts) (NCAA: 16gp-11g15a-26pts)
Prior to the U20 World Juniors tournament there was a growing contingent of scouts and media proclaiming Adam Fantilli as a potential threat to Connor Bedard’s seat at the throne of the 2023 draft class, and it seems the consensus has him second to only Bedard right now, but this number four spot is still the highest he has been in my rankings all year. His performance at the U20 WJC, though far from bad, has only solidified my opinion on him. Now, don’t get me wrong. I agree that Fantilli is a fantastic offensive force with enormous NHL upside, but his decision-making and inability to utilize his linemates can sometimes render him (and his team) virtually ineffective. Too often the 6’2”, 195-lb. pivot relies solely on his natural talents and tries to take on the entire opposition himself. He has plenty of time to work out these issues and become a more well-rounded contributor, and he definitely showed improvement in these areas as the tournament progressed, yet I can’t rank him above any of the current top three until he does.
5. Will Smith ,C, U18-NTDP (USHL)
Part 1 Rank: 15
Part 2 Rank: 7
Born: March 17, 2005
Size: 6’0”, 182 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (U18-NTDP: 30gp-22g32a-54pts)
One of the fastest rising prospects in my rankings from the Part 1 list to now, U.S. NTDP center Will Smith deservedly enters the top five overall thanks to a brilliant campaign where he has notched 22 goals and 54 points in 30 games played. His 1.80 points-per-game average leads the U18s this season and places his output among the very best in program history, and that is certainly not by accident. An unbelievably skilled one-on-one stickhandler and electrifying playmaker with elite vision, Smith set an all-time NTDP record with a 21-game point streak to start the 2022-23 campaign. This ultimately helped earn him an invite to tryout for Team USA’s U20 WJC roster as a 17-year old. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend the selection camp due to a poorly timed illness, but there is no question he will be a key member of next year’s team. The Boston College commit will be taking his talents to the college circuit in 2023-24, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he is fighting for an NHL job by the following season.
6. Dalibor Dvorsky ,C, AIK (Allsvenskan)
Part 1 Rank: 8
Part 2 Rank: 5
Born: June 15, 2005
Size: 6’1”, 201 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (U20-WJC: 5gp-1g2a-3pts) (J20-Nationell: 5gp-3g5a-8pts) (Allsvenskan: 21gp-4g4a-8pts)
Dvorsky is one of the 2023 draft’s biggest wildcards, in my opinion. He looks like a surefire NHLer in some capacity or another with his intelligent, refined two-way game, and yet he has a few performances on his resume that suggest he has elite-level “number one center”-type upside. The 6’1” Slovak has had an up-and-down season in the Swedish second-tier Allsvenskan men’s league to date, collecting 8 points (4g4a) in 21 games played after threatening a point-per-game pace early on, but regularly employs such a solid, structured two-way game he can positively impact his team’s fortunes far beyond just the scoresheet. Dvorsky’s U20 WJC showing was evidence of that, as he put up 3 points (1g2a) in 5 games for Team Slovakia while also being trusted with critical late-game faceoffs and top-line shutdown assignments. A dual-threat scorer who can both make plays and finish them off himself, the only thing Dvorsky lacks is footspeed. His stride looked much improved at the latest World Juniors, though.
7. Zach Benson ,C/LW, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)
Part 1 Rank: 6
Part 2 Rank: 8
Born: May 12, 2005
Size: 5’10”, 159 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-2g5a-7pts) (WHL: 33gp-23g31a-54pts)
Despite playing on the WHL’s best team alongside heralded 2022 first rounders Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie, 17-year old Zach Benson has been Winnipeg’s clear-cut top player ever since the start of the 2021-22 postseason when he led the club in scoring with 23 points (9g14a) in 15 games. At 5’10” and 159 lbs., Benson qualifies as “undersized” by NHL standards, yet he’s so smart and skilled with the puck most scouts believe it won’t make the slightest difference. His IQ is astronomically high, plus he brings a relentless competitive drive to each and every shift that makes him extremely difficult to contain at either end of the ice. Whether he’s stripping opponents of the puck behind their own net and setting up a linemate for an easy goal or carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating scoring chances with his pinpoint-accurate passes and outstanding vision, Benson can change the outcome of a game as good as anyone in this draft not named Connor Bedard or Matvei Michkov. Could he be a Patrick Kane or Mitch Marner 2.0?
8. Ryan Leonard ,C/RW, U18-NTDP (USHL)
Part 1 Rank: 16
Part 2 Rank: 11
Born: January 21, 2005
Size: 5’11”, 190 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (U18-NTDP: 28gp-22g20a-42pts)
He has formed the NTDP’s deadliest U18 duo with linemate Will Smith this season, providing the grit and physicality to perfectly complement Smith’s slick finesse game. Ryan Leonard isn’t simply riding shotgun, however, as the 5’11” forward packs a lethal release on a blistering shot and has the soft hands to carve out some highlight-reel moments of his own. He has even grown as a playmaker this year, though he will likely always be a “shoot first” kind of player. From his U17 debut in 2021-22 onwards he has continually exceeded expectations and become a better all-around player, resulting in his newfound top-ten ranking here at The Draft Report. His aggressive “win at all costs” mentality, 200-ft. excellence, and diverse playing style gives me the confidence to project him as a future NHL center. His 22 goals in 28 games is tied for second on the NTDP’s U18 team, and his 42 points are the third-most behind only linemates Smith and Gabe Perreault.
9. Brayden Yager ,C, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Part 1 Rank: 4
Part 2 Rank: 6
Born: January 3, 2005
Size: 6’0”, 166 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-5g4a-9pts) (WHL: 38gp-18g30a-48pts)
While a 17-year old who has been relegated to his team’s second-line center putting up 48 points (18g30a) in 38 games is not terrible production by any means, after Yager’s CHL Rookie of the Year-winning 2021-22 campaign and MVP-caliber showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup it is somewhat disappointing based on what was predicted of him. In fact, he is well behind the 34-goals-in-63-games pace he posted as a 16-year old last season when many believed he was capable of hitting the 50-goal mark with another year of experience under his belt. To be fair, though, Yager has worked hard on improving as a set-up guy rather than always looking to take the shot first and foremost, and that should greatly benefit his all-around offensive game in the end. I have seen a significant amount of sources drop him down their rankings lists lately, but the mature two-way brand of hockey he brings to the table night after night (combined with the history of brilliance he has demonstrated over the last couple of seasons) means he still has a place in my top ten overall.
10. Charlie Stramel ,C, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
Part 1 Rank: 7
Part 2 Rank: 9
Born: October 15, 2004
Size: 6’3”, 215 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (U20-WJC: 7gp-0g3a-3pts) (NCAA: 19gp-4g3a-7pts)
Charlie Stramel has watched his consensus draft stock plummet this season, primarily due to a lack of high-end point production, but perhaps that will change somewhat following an acclaimed performance for Team USA at the U20 WJC where he showed off his wide range of skills and attributes. Despite being placed in a fourth-line shutdown role by the coaching staff, Stramel managed to contribute 3 points (0g3a) in 7 games and made his presence felt with a heavy-handed, ultra-physical approach against the opposition’s scoring lines. Just because he excels at grinding down opponents in the dirty areas doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the ability to score, and he also demonstrated the soft hands and underrated puck skills that had many projecting him as a potential top five pick a year or so ago. When the 6’3”, 215-lb. natural center is fully engaged and using his size and strength to make life difficult for defenders, he can be a real difference-maker for his club. Once he learns to do that consistently, watch out.
11. Colby Barlow ,LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Part 1 Rank: 11
Part 2 Rank: 13
Born: February 14, 2005
Size: 6’1”, 187 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-2g3a-5pts) (OHL: 33gp-25g21a-46pts)
The Owen Sound Attack captain has strangely been one of just a few 2023-eligible OHLers to live up to his early billing this season, as the 6’1” left winger sits tied for fourth in the entire league in goals (25) and is tied for thirteenth in total points (46) after 33 contests. Colby Barlow is more than just a gifted sniper, however, and that is essentially why he moves up two spots and back into eleventh overall in my Part 3 Rankings. As a winger, he can literally do it all: kill penalties, throw big hits and compete physically, provide on (and off)-ice leadership, produce offensively, etc. Those elements were all on display when he helped Team Canada win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this past summer, and Barlow has built upon them even further during his sophomore OHL campaign to the point that he looks like a pro-caliber prospect already at just 17 years old. There isn’t a whole lot of flashiness to his game, which has caused some scouts to question what kind of an NHLer he will actually be, but there is enough skill and substance for me to feel quite comfortable putting him in this spot.
12. Riley Heidt ,C, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Part 1 Rank: 14
Part 2 Rank: 16
Born: March 25, 2005
Size: 5’11”, 178 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-3g3a-6pts) (WHL: 36gp-18g34a-52pts)
Of all the top-tier WHL prospects in this draft class, Prince George Cougars centerman Riley Heidt might be the single most underrated. After starting the year a bit slow, he soon found another level to his play and erupted into one of the league’s premier point producers along with his linemate (and fellow 2023 eligible) Koehn Ziemmer. With his smooth skating stride, slick set of hands and exceptional vision to make plays and set-up his teammates, Heidt is the kind of pivot NHL clubs dream about landing at the draft yet isn’t typically mentioned alongside the mega-hyped centers above him. At his current scoring pace he could threaten the 100-point mark, which is no small feat for a player with a lack of elite talent built around him. The terrific hockey sense and responsible two-way play only makes him more valuable to his future big-league organization.
13. Eduard Sale ,LW/RW, HC Kometa Brno (Tipsport Extraliga)
Part 1 Rank: 12
Part 2 Rank: 10
Born: March 10, 2005
Size: 6’1”, 168 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-4g2a-6pts) (U20-WJC: 7gp-1g5a-6pts) (Tipsport: 26gp-3g3a-6pts)
Judging by their silver medal finish at the U20 World Juniors and the first round selections of David Jiricek and Jiri Kulich in 2022, the Czechs are now a force to be reckoned with. With 2005-born winger Eduard Sale putting on a series of brilliant international performances dating back to last year’s U18 Worlds, it appears as though the country will have another player selected in the first round of the NHL draft this year as well. Admittedly, Sale’s production in the Tipsport Extraliga (top-tier Czech men’s league) leaves much to be desired, but whenever he plays for his home nation on the world stage his tantalizing skillset is clearly obvious to anyone watching. There are significant holes in his game, though, including lackadaisical defensive efforts and offensive inconsistency, and that definitely contributed to his fall from my top ten. When he’s at his best and fully engaged, he can be a huge difference-maker with his high-end playmaking vision and wicked shot. When he’s not at his best, you’ll hardly notice him. The NHL franchise that eventually nabs him will be tasked with smoothing out those wrinkles and, if they manage to pull it off, they could have a future star on their hands.
14. Matthew Wood ,RW, University of Connecticut (NCAA)
Part 1 Rank: 17
Part 2 Rank: 15
Born: February 6, 2005
Size: 6’3”, 190 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-2g3a-5pts) (NCAA: 22gp-8g9a-17pts)
Aside from a few shifts here or there when he used his soft hands to beat a defender one-on-one or blasted his near NHL-caliber shot at the net, I found myself less than impressed with Matthew Wood at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament. Ever since he first suited up for the University of Connecticut Huskies as the NCAA’s youngest freshman (he’s still 17 until February), however, the 6’3” right winger has looked like a completely different player. He’s having an outstanding season so far with 17 points (8g9a) in 22 games, but his success has come from more than simply putting up points. Wood has competed hard, involved himself in the play, and worked to round out his 200-ft. game, which were exactly the knocks I had against him in my earlier viewings. The intimidating size and incredible skill he possesses has always been easily noticeable, yet skill with no substance or competitiveness often amounts to nothing. His perceived skating issues slightly concern the scouts, which is why you’re unlikely to find him ranked this high in many other places, but it hasn’t held him back at the college level and shouldn’t hold him back at the NHL level either if his development keeps its upward trajectory.
15. Andrew Cristall ,LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Part 1 Rank: 26
Part 2 Rank: 22
Born: February 4, 2005
Size: 5’10”, 165 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-1g5a-6pts) (WHL: 36gp-26g36a-62pts)
It is a testament to the formidable depth of this draft class that the WHL’s second-leading scorer is only my fifteenth ranked prospect. Last year Andrew Cristall had a phenomenal campaign that flew under the radar, with his 69 points (28g41a) in 61 games giving the left winger the second-highest points-per-game average (1.13) of any 2023-eligible WHLer. This year he has forced the hockey world to pay attention with a staggering 62 points (26g36a) in just 36 games, a 1.72 points-per-game average that puts him on pace for 117 points over a full 68 games. He is in sole possession of third place in the league in both goals and assists too, proving he is a dangerous dual-threat offensive force with the ability to execute spectacular passing plays or take it to the net and bury the puck himself. With that being said, you’re probably wondering why I don’t have Cristall ranked higher on this list. Truth be told, his size was a major factor in my decision. It’s not just his size, though, it is the style he employs at that size. He often gets into situations where he is physically outmatched and must weather some hard-hitting punishment. Perhaps it hasn’t affected his performance at the junior level, but I can’t say it won’t affect his performance when/if he reaches the NHL level.
16. Gabe Perreault ,LW/RW, U18-NTDP (USHL)
Part 1 Rank: Not Ranked
Part 2 Rank: 23
Born: May 7, 2005
Size: 5’11”, 171 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (U18-NTDP: 33gp-26g33a-59pts)
The third member of the NTDP’s top U18 line alongside Will Smith and Ryan Leonard, this 5’11”, 171-lb. winger (the son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault) is currently leading the team in goals (26), assists (33) and points (59) and is second in points-per-game average (1.79) to only Smith’s 1.80. Perreault is an exciting, entertaining talent with world class playmaking skill and a knack for creating unexpected scoring chances, but his defensive game can be an absolute mess at the worst times and he sometimes tends to play on the perimeter rather than getting his hands dirty. That raises questions about whether or not he can develop into a full-time NHLer under the right guidance. When he has the puck on his stick in the attacking zone there are very few who bring the kind of imagination and creativity that he does, so he absolutely qualifies as a first rounder in my opinion. Similar to what I said about Cristall, though, is that the depth of this group keeps me from placing him any higher. That’s a good problem to have if you are an NHL general manager whose club misses the postseason this coming spring.
17. Axel Sandin-Pellikka ,D, Skelleftea AIK (J20 Nationell)
Part 1 Rank: Not Ranked
Part 2 Rank: Not Ranked
Born: March 11, 2005
Size: 5’11”, 181 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-0g2a-2pts) (U20-WJC: 7gp-0g1a-1pt) (J20-Nationell: 20gp-13g13a-26pts) (SHL: 14gp-2g3a-5pts)
There’s a new number one defense prospect in my rankings this time around, and it also happens to be his debut on my lists after missing the cut for Parts 1 and 2. Despite his eye-popping point totals this season, the real reason I chose Axel Sandin-Pellikka to be the top-rated blueliner for Part 3 is his razor-sharp, intelligent defensive game and fantastic work for Team Sweden at the U20 WJC as a 17-year old. At 5’11” and 181 lbs., Sandin-Pellikka may not immediately strike you as the ideal defensive defenseman, but his rock-solid positioning and hockey IQ make him every bit as effective in shutdown situations as he would be with enormous size and strength. Although he was the youngest Swede on the World Juniors roster this year he was also the team’s icetime leader and was trusted by the coaching staff to be on the ice no matter who their opponent was. I haven’t seen elite-level offensive ability from him yet, but he has put up terrific numbers against his peers and against men in the SHL so clearly I’m missing something.
18. Lukas Dragicevic ,D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Part 1 Rank: 21
Part 2 Rank: 24
Born: April 25, 2005
Size: 6’2”, 181 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (WHL: 36gp-9g37a-46pts)
I went back and forth between Sandin-Pellikka and Dragicevic when trying to decide upon the top defender for my Part 3 Rankings, and while I ultimately settled on the Swedish standout it is the 6’2” Canadian boy who has the higher overall upside. Criminally underrated by the scouting community to start the year (even though he excelled as a WHL rookie and at the U18 Worlds as an underager), the former fourth selection of the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft left them no options when he embarked on a 27-game point streak that vaulted him into the league scoring lead among players at his position. He is a pinpoint-accurate passer who can thread pucks through traffic with ease and loves to launch long-range feeds up the middle of the ice to spring teammates on a breakaway. He’s not the fastest skater, but he walks the blueline better than any other powerplay quarterback in this draft. He’s also one of the few 2023-eligible defensemen with NHL-ready size. Does his defense inside his own zone require work? Yes. Could he benefit from playing a bit more physical? Yes. And he will have plenty of opportunities to improve in those aspects over the next couple of years.
19. Quentin Musty ,LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Part 1 Rank: 19
Part 2 Rank: 25
Born: June 7, 2005
Size: 6’2”, 197 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 4gp-1g4a-5pts) (OHL: 32gp-12g36a-48pts)
As a former first overall pick (2021 OHL Priority Selection), Quentin Musty’s devastating offensive skill has never been in doubt. He began his 16-year old rookie campaign as a 6’2”, 200-plus lb. forward with uncanny skating ability, so it isn’t hard to understand why the OHL scouts were salivating over his potential either. After a so-so 2021-22 season with the Sudbury Wolves and a sluggish start to 2022-23 it looked like all that potential would never materialize, but to his credit the American-born left winger turned things around and has been one of the league’s most productive players over the last two months. Musty and teammate David Goyette finally discovered chemistry together, and the result is the fifth-most assists (36) and ninth-most points (48, tied) of any OHLer this season.
20. Etienne Morin ,D, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Part 1 Rank: Not Ranked
Part 2 Rank: 28
Born: March 9, 2005
Size: 6’0”, 183 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (QMJHL: 37gp-14g28a-42pts)
It wouldn’t be a complete shock if Etienne Morin ended up as the highest-ranked defender on my final list. Last year he set a brand new Moncton Wildcats franchise record for points by a rookie blueliner, and this year he leads all QMJHL blueliners in goals (14) and is second in total points (42) after 37 contests. For reasons unknown, Morin has gone largely unnoticed or ignored by scouts and media despite consistently exceptional performances across the board. He thrives inside the offensive zone or when jumping into the rush, yet he also makes excellent reads inside his own zone and could legitimately be considered a true two-way defender with his experience manning both special teams units. For years the QMJHL has been falling behind the other two CHL entities (WHL, OHL) in terms of the NHL talent it produces (which may partially explain his low profile), but prospects like Etienne Morin could help to alter that narrative.
21. Nate Danielson ,C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Part 1 Rank: 23
Part 2 Rank: 27
Born: September 27, 2004
Size: 6’1”, 185 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (WHL: 38gp-20g29a-49pts)
The Brandon Wheat Kings captain has gone up-and-down in my rankings this year, and he is still one of the hardest 2023-eligible prospects to project. His speed, smarts, versatility and work ethic are undeniable, as is the innate leadership he provides. However, as a September 2004 birthday he was just days from being eligible for last year’s draft and therefore is technically further along in his development than a lot of these other prospects. He is also somewhat “hot and cold” offensively, so it’s harder to project his ceiling as a point producer. At worst he should still become an effective third-line center in the NHL, with a second-line pivot the likely best-case scenario.
22. Ethan Gauthier ,C/RW, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
Part 1 Rank: 20
Part 2 Rank: 14
Born: January 26, 2005
Size: 5’11”, 176 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-6g1a-7pts) (QMJHL: 38gp-16g29a-45pts)
Previously the highest-ranked QMJHL prospect in my rankings, Gauthier’s early season scoring pace (along with his phenomenal Hlinka Gretzky Cup showing) moved him into the top fifteen of my Part 2 list and was beginning to convince me of his future stardom. He has since come back down to Earth and settled into his role as a multi-positional forward who coaches can plug into a variety of situations. He’s also quite capable of chipping in on the scoresheet as a strong secondary option and powerplay contributor, but his offensive upside is fairly limited. There are similarities between Gauthier’s projection and that of Nate Danielson, with Danielson’s scoring touch giving him a slight edge. When the stakes are high (like the 2021-22 U17 Capital City Challenge and 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup) Gauthier raises his efforts to greater heights and rises to the occasion, which might be his best quality as a player.
23. Koehn Ziemmer ,RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Part 1 Rank: 24
Part 2 Rank: 20
Born: December 8, 2004
Size: 6’0”, 195 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (WHL: 36gp-20g32a-52pts)
The chemistry Koehn Ziemmer has with teammate and fellow 2023 draft eligible forward Riley Heidt is arguably unmatched by any other duo in the WHL. The pair finished first and second in team scoring last season, separated by just one single point, and this season are tied for the team lead (and fourth overall in the entire league). Ziemmer’s 52 points in 36 contests include a club-best 20 goals after he topped Prince George with 30 goals in 2021-22. The 6’0”, 195-lb. right winger occasionally plays center, plus he kills penalties and isn’t shy about throwing his weight around or mixing it up physically. He has an awkward stride that needs some refinement, but that is the only real noticeable flaw. To me, Ziemmer has all the makings of a middle-six NHLer and regular powerplay specialist.
24. Daniil But ,LW, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL)
Part 1 Rank: 22
Part 2 Rank: 21
Born: February 15, 2005
Size: 6’5”, 203 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (MHL: 23gp-14g10a-24pts) (KHL: 11gp-1g0a-1pt)
My second-highest ranked Russian prospect shares no similarities in size with Matvei Michkov, as Lokomotiv left winger Daniil But is listed at 6’5” and 203 lbs., or in the way each plays the game. But skates surprisingly well for such a big kid, plus he can handle the puck and make plays while in full flight (something not many 6’5” teenagers can say). He is a goal scorer by trade though, and his 14 goals in 23 MHL games this season speaks to that. It’s unlikely that Daniil But ever evolves into a star at the next level, but 17-year olds with his package of strength and skill are rare commodities these days and NHL GMs usually treat them accordingly.
25. Oliver Moore ,C, U18-NTDP (USHL)
Part 1 Rank: 28
Part 2 Rank: 31
Born: January 22, 2005
Size: 5’11”, 188 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (U18-NTDP: 31gp-18g23a-41pts)
Aside from the NTDP’s top-line U18 trio of Will Smith, Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault, the only other point-per-game player on the roster is speedy second-line pivot Oliver Moore. Despite being surrounded by lesser talent, Moore has 41 points (18g23a) in 31 games played this year after collecting 7 points (2g5a) in 11 games spent with the U18 squad as a 16-year old in 2021-22. The 5’11”, 188-lb. centerman is probably the fastest and most agile skater in this draft class, and he has the puck skills to match. What gives me pause, however, is Moore’s hard-driving approach inside the offensive zone and the physical toll it takes on a player of his small stature in the NHL.
26. Calum Ritchie ,C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Part 1 Rank: 10
Part 2 Rank: 12
Born: January 21, 2005
Size: 6’2”, 187 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-4g6a-10pts) (OHL: 36gp-12g19a-31pts)
One of the 2023 draft class’ most unexpected (and confounding) storylines has been, without question, the downward spiral of Oshawa Generals center Calum Ritchie’s first round credibility. The former second overall pick (2021 OHL Priority Selection) has it all: enviable size, excellent all-around skating, dazzling offensive skill, a great shot, etc., yet he seems to be missing the internal competitive fire that separates the “good” players from the “great” ones. Granted, it’s been a nightmare season for the Generals. The problem is that we have seen what Ritchie can do when he’s motivated to succeed, and I certainly haven’t seen that side of him in any of my OHL viewings this season. For a player with his abilities, 12 goals and 31 points in 36 games is nowhere near good enough.
27. Mikhail Gulyayev ,D, Avangard Omsk (KHL)
Part 1 Rank: 25
Part 2 Rank: 26
Born: April 26, 2005
Size: 5’10”, 170 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (KHL: 12gp-0g1a-1pt) (VHL: 10gp-0g4a-4pts) (MHL: 12gp-1g16a-17pts)
Fact: Mikhail Gulyayev is a special offensive talent with almost unlimited potential upside. He’s small for a defender at 5’10” and 170 lbs., but he has spent the majority of 2022-23 competing in the top Russian men’s leagues and been able to smoothly transition his game over to the pro circuit with no real difficulty. In my humble opinion, Gulyayev is already too good to be playing in the MHL and his 17 points (1g16a) in 12 games is evidence of that. The Russian hockey program is an unpredictable mess these days, at least from my understanding, and this dynamic young defender appears to be a victim of the chaos to some degree. He is a lightning-quick, shifty puckmover with the one-on-one athleticism to skate the puck end-to-end and back again if he wishes, but what earns him a top thirty-two spot on my list is that he doesn’t sacrifice strong defense to achieve offense.
28. Otto Stenberg ,C/LW, Frolunda HC (J20 Nationell)
Part 1 Rank: 9
Part 2 Rank: 18
Born: May 29, 2005
Size: 5’11”, 181 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-5g4a-9pts) (J18-Region: 3gp-7g3a-10pts) (J20-Nationell: 20gp-6g9a-15pts) (SHL: 9gp-0g0a-0pts)
Another once-promising prospect who has disappointed with a lacklustre season is this ultra-talented but inconsistent Swedish forward. He began the year in my top ten due to an impressive J20 stretch as a 16-year old and some stellar international tournament performances, but he struggled his way down to a J18 demotion after graduating that level last season and hasn’t looked like the same star prospect who captained the Swedish national team to a Hlinka Gretzky Cup silver medal with a brilliant MVP-caliber tournament this past summer.
29. Kasper Halttunen ,LW, HIFK (Liiga)
Part 1 Rank: 18
Part 2 Rank: 19
Born: June 7, 2005
Size: 6’3”, 207 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-1g2a-3pts) (U20-Sarja: 10gp-9g6a-15pts) (Liiga: 17gp-0g1a-1pt)
At 16 years old this massive Finnish winger was named the U20 SM-Sarja’s Rookie of the Year and a top three player on the national team by the coaching staff at last year’s U18 World Championships. He’s 6’3” and 207 lbs. and uses every last bit of his size to punish the opposition physically, bringing a nastiness to his position that you hardly ever see in young prospects anymore. He also packs a tremendous shot and excels at boxing out defenders with his huge frame and driving the net with the puck on his stick. He has not had a successful season in the Liiga to date, though, and it doesn’t appear likely that he will now. I still see Halttunen as a first rounder because of his NHL likelihood, just not the high first rounder he hinted at becoming before.
30. Cam Allen ,D, Guelph Storm (OHL)
Part 1 Rank: 13
Part 2 Rank: 16
Born: January 7, 2005
Size: 5’11”, 190 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-1g6a-7pts) (OHL: 33gp-4g12a-16pts)
The reigning OHL Rookie of the Year and “Captain Canada” for last summer’s golden Hlinka Gretzky run, Cam Allen has suffered through a shocking and miserable campaign with the Guelph Storm that is pushing him out of first round contention little by little. His 16 points (4g12a) in 33 games puts him below a half-point-per-game average (0.48) and he carries an ugly -14 rating that’s not doing him any favours with the scouts either. I won’t sugarcoat his struggles, but I am giving him the benefit of the doubt right now based on the standard of play we had consistently seen him at prior to 2022-23.
31. Mathieu Cataford ,C/LW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Part 1 Rank: 29
Part 2 Rank: 32
Born: March 1, 2005
Size: 5’11”, 187 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 5gp-0g1a-1pt) (QMJHL: 37gp-21g27a-48pts)
The third and final QMJHL prospect in my Part 3 Rankings is another member of the Halifax Mooseheads’ NHL prospect factory and, like Etienne Morin of Moncton, he is one of this draft’s most underrated players in part because of the league he plays in. What keeps Mathieu Cataford a first rounder, to me, is his chameleon-like ability to blend into any role he is given and make it look natural. It speaks to his hockey sense (among other things) and suggests that he could crack an NHL lineup as either a top-six or a bottom-six forward depending on his development path. Cataford has contributed greatly to the Mooseheads’ success this season and put up 48 points (21g27a) in 37 games despite being regularly bounced around the lineup.
32. Hunter Brzustewicz ,D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Part 1 Rank: Not Ranked
Part 2 Rank: Not Ranked
Born: November 29, 2004
Size: 6’0”, 188 lbs.
Stats (2022-23): (HGretzkyCup: 4gp-0g3a-3pts) (OHL: 34gp-3g27a-30pts)
The second brand new entry to make his debut in the top thirty-two of my Part 3 list, American-born defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz has taken huge strides forward as a puckmover since he was given the reigns of Team USA’s blueline at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. After making his way through the NTDP last season, Brzustewicz chose to spend 2022-23 in the OHL rather than begin his freshman college campaign and by all accounts it has paid off. The 18-year old rear guard is delivering the best offensive output of his young career with the Rangers, posting 30 points (3g27a) in 34 OHL contests after recording just 20 points (2g18a) in 55 games with the NTDP’s U18 squad the previous year. Brzustewicz is an excellent skater and gifted passer who can do a lot of damage to his opponents as a quarterback on the top powerplay unit. His defensive game is only slightly above-average, but he is noticeably improving his own-zone efforts as he continues to gain experience.
The Draft Report 