Nobody expected NHL Central Scouting to rank Kingston’s Sam Bennett tops in its mid-term rankings released Monday, but if nothing else, it has sparked great conversation.
When asked why Bennett earned top billing, Head of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr remarked that Bennett’s competitive edge gives him the potential to be a game changer at the next level.
While he didn’t have a great WJC, Prince Albert’s Leon Draisaitl was ranked second. No doubt he’s benefitted from the extra viewings last season when scouts went to see Josh Morrissey.
Aaron Ekblad wouldn’t travel down that road, but when asked about the rankings, he said, “it doesn’t matter if I’m number 1, 2 or 10,” and then went on to say on several occasions, “it is what it is.” This tells me he was somewhat irked.
As for Sam Reinhart, he truly looks as if he’s taking it all in stride. Nothing seems to faze him, and that’s part of the reason he’ll be a top pick in June.
The 2014 NHL draft will take place in Florida, with the Panthers as hosts.
BMO Top Prospects Game
Ryan MacInnis hopes to draw out some old stories about his dad from former teammates Mike Vernon, Joel Otto, and Tim Hunter while in Calgary.
Jared McCann was flying at practice Monday night. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds GM Kyle Dubas was confronted with taking Robby Fabbri, Josh Ho-Sang or McCann in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection. The Hounds decided on McCann largely because of his speed.
Brendan Perlini lost his grandfater Fred Sr. Saturday. Legend has it that Fred Sr. was one of the best players ever from the Soo. Apparently he attended NHL camps with Detroit and the New York Rangers as young as 14 or 15 years old. Perlini claims his grandfather saw the game like nobody else.
Plymouth goalie Alex Nedeljkovic is an extremely intelligent young man whose career was also touched by the late Ian Jenkins. Nedeljkovic has the letters HAP across the back plate of his helmet. Have A Purpose was the mantra Jenkins lived by.
Brayden Point, Brycen Martin, Julius Honka and Chase De Leo all had travel issues that did not allow them to take part in practice.
Paul Reinhart took the reigns for Team Cherry and was very vocal as he put the troops through their paces.
Anthony DeAngelo credits Sarnia Assistant Coach Andy Delmore with helping him pick spots to join the rush and improving his defensive game.
According to one scout, Matthew Mistele needs to have a productive second half in order to get himself back into first round consideration.
Alexis Vanier did not play for Baie Comeau on the weekend, but will play Wednesday night.
The three Russian stars were seen laughing and joking in the bowels of the Saddledome Monday night. Nikita Scherbak, Nikolay Goldobin and Ivan Barbashev couldn’t get enough of one another.
Scherbak has size 13 skates.
Brendan Lemieux and Ekblad are best of friends, they room at the same billet home in Barrie and didn’t stop chirping one another all practice.
Friday Night Hockey
Scott Walker couldn’t heap any more praise on 2014 NHL prospect Robby Fabbri. He compared him to Max Domi, who went 12th overall to Phoenix in 2013 in what was a stronger draft class.
It’s likely the Guelph Storm tried to acquire another goaltender, you can’t argue with the 6-1-0-0 streak Justin Nichols is currently riding.
The London Knights REALLY miss Scott Harrington and Olli Maata on the back.
Anthony Stolarz looked a little shaky early, but that was his first real game action in about a month.
The Knights lack that one key glue guy up front. It was Seth Griffith last year and Austin Watson in 2012.
Nikita Zadorov and Jason Dickinson have upside like few players I’ve seen in my nine years on the job.
Stat Trick: Over the past 18 years, 248 players from the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects were drafted in the first round, representing 47% of all first-round picks over that time frame. Thanks Paul Krotz
Completely Off Topic: When will a Hollywood actor/actress accept their award by saying they deserved it?
More CHL
Be sure to check out the latest from Patrick King
Friday Night Hockey: We will remain in the WHL this week, when Regina plays host to Sam Reinhart and the Kootenay Ice.
Friday, January 24 Peterborough @ Oshawa
Friday, January 31, Gatineau @ Drummondville