Our top 15 uncommitted prospects heading into late September. Full free list coming on overtheboards.net in early October:
1. 97 F Auston Matthews – NTDP U18 - 6'2 - 194 - Left Shot
An elite athlete who would still likely be making strides towards a professional career were he playing football or baseball, Matthews is smooth and powerful, able to separate from the pack with a push and maneuver the puck through the zone with a pro-style of puck-handling that minimizes inefficiency and maintains velocity. His speed and explosiveness make him a wraith on the puck who slips right through what would for most be body-on-body contact to the net. Matthews’ quick hands allow him to leverage his ability to get to most areas of the ice and subsequently make a play in those tight areas. The Everett Silvertips own his rights. We do not anticipate anyone knocking Matthews off our #1 rank for awhile.
2. 99 D Max Gildon – Dallas Stars Elite U16
Our top uncommitted 99 in the country: Fluid, strong skating ability, slick with the puck. Analyzes the play as it develops keenly and uses his athletic gifts and hockey mind to put himself in a position to be successful at all times.
3. 98 F Pat Khodorenko - NTDP U17
Creates time and space for himself at ease and can absolutely snipe. Sells his fakes extremely well and wastes no time embarrassing defenders with elite offensive awareness, speed. At times, Khodorenko can force an extra pass but the truth is that he is at such a level, mentally, beyond many skaters that you can’t be too frustrated for his desire to create something more elaborate at times.
4. 99 F Grant Mismash – Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep
Highly skilled, great athleticism and explosiveness. He did a little bit of 'whatever he wanted' at the U14 level, going through entire teams and penetrating the net with shots in tight, so at the Prep level he isn't as effective yet but as he re-works his game for bigger and older competition, he should be ripping nets apart.
5. 98 D Chad Krys - NTDP U17
A quick first step and smooth stride made Krys a fluid, roving defenseman all over the sheet at the U19 level in 2013-14, and on the puck he’s lights out. His ability and poise on puck retrievals are terrific, but for his natural ability, Krys was not actually as effective as one would hope. On the puck, Krys is one of those few players with an uncanny knack for slowing down the game, dictating the tempo and jump-starting the offense at will. He shrugs off skaters on the rush, teasing skaters to check him and often slipping past, using awareness and smart touches to move the puck to smart areas.
6. 97 D Jacob Bryson – Loomis-Chaffee School
Regarded as a potentially special talent coming out of London, Ontario to play prep school in New England this year. Bryson has a lot of attention and could rise up our rankings. Bryson’s first pass out of the zone comes with authority and hits it’s target on the tape. Despite being only 5’9 he maintains a low leverage that allows him to dominate larger (and older) players at the Tier 1 Faceoff. Overall, his game is very quiet, very calm in all situations – he doesn’t panic when the zone is under attack. His shot in the offensive zone is noteworthy as well – a wrist shot from the point that he flips on goal has a deceptive strength that goalies won’t anticipate.
7. 97 D Caleb Jones - NTDP U18 - 6'0 - 194 - Left Shot
He’s added a lot of weight to a now-6’0 frame and improved in a lot of facets of his game, even though he was already well-rounded. At times, he can force a play or cause a turn-over on a snap decision, but he had a nice weekend overall. Activates with effectiveness and showcases resourcefulness on the puck.
8. 97 F Walker Duehr - Sioux City Musketeers
2016 draft eligible has explosive straight-away speed with a body that’s only going to continue to add size, Duehr was at 165 in 2013 and now with at least 25 extra lbs, opposing defenders are feeling it. His skating mechanics are strong and will only improve with added strength, Duehr plays with frenetic intensity at times and can be the definition of disruptive.
9. 98 D James Greenway – NTDP U17
Enormous upside at 6'4, brother of potential 2015 first-rounder Jordan Greenway. James could emerge as a shut-down defenseman but has rushing and serious offensive faculties just waiting to come together as he figures out the most efficient way to defend at a high level and move the play north.
10. 99 D Ben Mirageas – Avon Old Farms
Very athletic and capable, makes sound decisions: Mirageas is a player you can lean on and very reliable. Deceptively skilled yet makes measured plays and doesn’t compromise himself by getting ahead of the action.
11. 99 F Baker Shore – Colorado Thunderbirds U16
Colorado’s first family of hockey has a fourth serious prospect in the pipeline. The fourth and final Shore brother (Denver) has elite hockey sense and playmaking ability. During the season at the U14 level, #71 made his teammates better, creating time and space consistently for others to operate in and for him to benefit from indirectly. High-end offensive awareness with good speed and finishing ability, Shore’s poise on the puck and ability to create are what some scouts would consider special. He’s just a hockey player. If you factor in that all of Baker’s brothers are above 6’0 tall, and that he’ll likely end up at a similar height, you could make the argument that he should already be in our top five.
12. 99 F Brady Tkachuk – St. Louis AAA Blues U16
Brought a high level of skill and speed at the U14 level, with dynamic and consistent play. Good release on his shot and can finish his chances, Tkachuk can break loose of defenders regularly and does a great job of masking his intent with the puck.
13. 99 D Sean Keohan – Dexter School
Good-sized defenseman with elite vision and poise. Passing and rushing ability in spades. Stands his ground in his own end and can be an assertive force on the game with his ability to hide his intent and make plays up ice. At the bantam level, he appeared to be a man amongst boys after a season with Dexter
14. 99 F Alex Chmelevski – Honeybaked U16
Seems to be the type who makes other players better, a poised, skilled forward with vision and playmaking ability. Zips pucks around the sheet with purpose and plays a measured game that could take him very far. He was regularly the offensive catalyst for a loaded Belle Tire forward group in 2013-14 because of his elite vision and ability to process the game. Will be OHL draft eligible this year and highly pursued.
15. 99 F Austin Pratt – Shattuck-St. Mary’s U16
He continues to smoothen out his game and play to his strengths: of which there are many. He has one of the hardest shots in the age group and can play a power forward game protecting the puck using only the necessary puck-handles and not much more to make his plays. Does a good job staying in motion offensively and can play a beast-mode style game to just bull around the ice.