Axel Sandin Pellikka is a right-handed offensive defenseman who has put up points at a remarkable rate in J20 Nationell, the top Swedish junior league. He is on the younger side of the draft class with a July birthday so he has plenty of time to grow into the potential that he has shown thus far and increase his draft stock. As in, you could put him on the icewith the worlds best shooters (say, Auston Matthews, Nikita Kucherov, Patrik Laine, Alex Ovechkinand Steven Stamkos) and they wouldnt be able to load up just off of their lead skate and fire it off balance like he does. He started to come on before the world juniors, though, and then he was good in a bottom-six role for Team USA and he has played quite well in his return to college hockey. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Although he is just 5-foot-9, Perron is earning more and more buzz as a potential first rounder due to his excellent skating, playmaking, and offensive awareness. Last year, he led Prince George in goals (30) and finished second in points (57, one back of Heidt). Yager plays a threatening, attacking, puck-dominant game with skill in straight lines and in cutting sequences in transition. I wondered if my thoughts were altered by the late start and had an effect on how I viewed. There have been times this season, though, where he has looked like hes trying a little too hard to impress and make things happen instead of allowing the game to come to him. He could suffer from the Russian factor, but the lack of top-end defensive prospects and his impressive offensive toolset leads me to believe hes got a good shot at being drafted in the top-20. Brindley is a 5-foot-9 forward who has been quite good in the NCAA as an 18-year-old, a very impressive feat. WHL Network Tigers sign Gavin McKenna, first overall selection in 2022 WHL Prospects Draft 9 months ago Elite Prospects - CCHL Bantam Protected Draft 2023 Ferrari's 2023 NHL Draft Rankings: Mid-Season Top 50 33. Draftpro - an Introduction to The 2023 Draft Class - Whl He sustained an injury during the World Juniors that has kept him out of play for a while, but hopefully he can return to dominating the WHL soon. I think theres a small chance he becomes a star or close with the right development, too. Western Hockey League completes 2022 WHL U.S. Hes got high-end speed with his galloping crossover strides and strong acceleration from a standstill (with continued work to do to take his first two steps up a notch and find an even quicker gear), which help him carry the puck up the ice or join in transition as the trailer whenever he has to play catchup. His gifts in control of the puck are undeniable. Scouts are fascinated by his power forward package and size down the middle (following a move to centre from the wing as a 16-year-old). He can beat you carrying the puck in rotations around the perimeter of the offensive zone. That continued to start this year as he struggled to have a real impact with the Badgers early on as a freshman (albeit it a young one, and albeit on a bad/at-times lost team). He has now impressed me wherever Ive watched him (NCAA, USHL, Five Nations, U18 Worlds, world juniors, etc.)