C Jack Hughes - USNTDP (2019 Draft)
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How many elite centers who go high are under 6 foot and 175 pounds? Hughes would be the first in recent times. Most elite center prospects in recent years are significantly bigger. McDavid is probably the smallest in build of recent high-center picks, but he's 6'1 and 185. If you count him as high-end center prospect at the time RNH is probably the smallest in build. Guys like Duchene are sub-6 foot but pretty stocky in build.
If you want to limit the selection to a very select few, you aren't going to find an exception. But, high-picks in recent years like Sam Reinhart and Bennett have been moved to the wing. Drouin and Marner moved back and forth in junior, but are probably best utilized playing the wing in the NHL.
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Thanks. From where we sit behind the penalty boxes I never could read the name on the back of the jersey last night.
This kid should go the Auston Matthews route and play in Europe next year. Worked out well for Matthews who got a nice pay check and some great development playing against men, he really hit the ground running when he got to the NHL because he was used to playing against men.
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Hughes will only be 17 years old next year, so cannot sign a pro European contract. Matthews could not actually play in Europe until he turned 18. Matthews was a late birthday and had finished his NTDP eligibility, so his choices were NCAA, OHL or Europe.
It was actually WHL for Matthews, Everett had his rights. Pretty much everything west of Wisconsin is WHL territory (although Missouri is pretty much in line with Minnesota, and Missouri is an OHL state).
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Thanks. Those western states always confused me with CHL rights. Stefan Noesen was from Texas, yet he played for our Plymouth Whalers in the OHL.
In any case, Hughes situation next season is different than Matthews case in his season before being draft eligible. Matthews actually had a unique situation where he just missed the NHL Draft cutoff by 1 or 2 days. So he was barely too young for the 2015 draft, but his birthday had him turning 18 in time for the start of the season in Europe. Had he been born in late December, he never would have played pro hockey in Europe, because he would have missed almost half the season waiting to turn 18. Had he been born a couple of days earlier, he may have ended up the #3 overall pick in 2015 behind McDavid and Eichel, and wouldn't have played in Europe, either.
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There are weird ways around it. Since Detroit is arguably the biggest hub of travel hockey in the United States (Minnesota is High School hockey and New England is split between travel and prep) with high profile teams like Little Ceasars, Compuware, Honeybaked etc, a bunch of high profile American kids relocate there for grade 9 and 10. Patrick Kane would be the most noticeable name, Chychrun also flew in but both were from OHL states (New York and Florida). If they get declared to have residency in Michigan, they are then entered into the OHL draft. This is what happened with Noesen and Alex Chmelevski. Whereas Seth and Caleb Jones who played minor/travel hockey in Texas were put into the WHL Bantam draft.
Other major American cities have developed fairly high-end AAA programs. Most notably St. Louis and Chicago, but similar to the GTHL in Canada, top kids will move to top programs that parents think gives the kids a best chance.
spintheblackcircle
incoming!!!
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1 goal tonight in the final U18 USHL game. 99 points on the season, with only the World U18s to play.
Best NTDP season only behind Kane's 102, Keller's 107, and Matthews' 117. All of which were done in their U18 seasons.
Best NTDP season only behind Kane's 102, Keller's 107, and Matthews' 117. All of which were done in their U18 seasons.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
yep, and only Keller and Matthews in the USHL, Kane was in the NAHL when he did what he did...
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Just amazing talent and poise at 16. Who ever wins the 2019 draft lottery is going to be one lucky team.
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Last season the U18's finished their USHL season on March 31st, but the U18 WJC began on April 8th.
I guess it's just scheduling then. They don't start until the 19th this year.
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Yes. They actually have home ice for their entire playoff run.
USA Today is either lying or has been given incorrect information OR Jack has grown some...
"Jack Hughes (5-11, 180 pounds) is the son of Jim and Ellen Weinberg-Hughes. "
Meet Jack Hughes, the 16-year-old dazzling like a future (2019) No. 1 NHL draft pick
"Jack Hughes (5-11, 180 pounds) is the son of Jim and Ellen Weinberg-Hughes. "
Meet Jack Hughes, the 16-year-old dazzling like a future (2019) No. 1 NHL draft pick
Would love to see him play in the OHL next season, that way I can see if he's as good as Mcdavid or on the Mathews/Mackinnon level. This Jack Hughes hype is amazing.
Killerjas
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I really doubt he'll play in the OHL. Hughes will either return for his 2nd season with the NTDP or join his brother Quinn at the University of Michigan as an early enroll. His family has relocated to Michigan, and all three brothers are playing in the area -- Luke is playing for Little Caesars.
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