Our 2021 NHL Draft Preview has begun
Matthew Beniers had an excellent freshman campaign with the University of Michigan. He put up 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points in 24 games this season. Beniers was named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team, and was an Honourable Mention for the conference all-star team. Beniers and the Wolverines were all set for the Frozen Four Tournament but had to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test on a member of the team. He was also part of Team USA at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, helping his country to a gold-medal performance. Beniers put up a goal and two assists in seven games during the tournament.
In 2019-20 Beniers was an alternate captain for the U.S. National Development Team Under-18 Team. He scored 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points in 44 games that year. In 2019, he won a bronze medal at the Under-18 World Championships. As an underage player, he put up two goals in seven games.
2021 NHL Draft #1 : Matthew Beniers Scouting Report
Owen Power was one of a trio of outstanding draft prospects who played for the University of Michigan this season. He put up three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 26 games this season. Power was named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team as well as the conference’s Second All-Star Team. Unfortunately, Power and his Michigan teammates were unable to participate in the
NCAA Frozen Four tournament due to an outbreak of COVID-19. It was a disappointing end to what was a promising season for the freshmen-laden team.
Power spent the previous two seasons with the Chicago Steel in the USHL, after being drafted seventh overall in the USHL Futures Draft. In 2019-20 he put up 12 goals and 28 assists for 40 points in 48 games before the season was shut down due to the pandemic. Power led the league in defence scoring, was named defenceman of the year, and was on the first all-star team. In 2018-19, he put 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 52 games. He also added two points in 11 playoff games. Power was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team.
2021 NHL Draft #2: Owen Power Scouting Report - LWOS
William Eklund has spent the season with Djugardens in the SHL, and its been clear that the 18-year-old was ready to play in the country’s top men’s league on a full-time basis. Eklund put up 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 40 games this year. Djugardens is currently playing in the SHL Playoffs. Earlier this year, Eklund was expected to be a top-six centre for the Swedish World Junior Hockey Championship team. However, he missed the tournament after a positive COVID test.
In 2019-20 he started the year with five points in five games at the Under-18 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, helping the Swedish team to a Bronze medal. He played 20 games in the SHL, putting up just two assists. Eklund was also held scoreless in two Champions Hockey League games. He looked more at home in the Under-20 league with 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points in 31 games. He also made Swedish national teams at the under-17 and under-16 levels.
2021 NHL Draft #3: William Eklund Scouting Report