The month of February brought about two events that involved NHL prospects outside of normal schedules. First, for USHL prospects, the BioSteel All-American Game involved an opportunity for NHL draft-eligible players to showcase their skills against their peers. Then the Winter Olympics has also provided opportunities for some prospects to put their skills on display. In both instances, NHL draft eligible prospects provided MVP performances and have climbed a bit on my board. Here are a few thoughts on some players for February and my top-32 prospects.
Shane Wright
There was some question regarding Wright’s status as a number one in late January, with a few public lists putting American Logan Cooley in the number one slot. However, Wright has been on a tear offensively, posting 36 points in his last 21 games. He’s been answering the critics regarding offensive ceiling recently. He remains number one on my board.
Logan Cooley
Cooley has been climbing most boards, including mine, steadily this season. His performance at the BioSteel game was superb and he showed off a tremendous skillset and high-level agility. He is ranked number one on a few public lists, but he is not there for me yet.
Juraj Slafkovky
The MVP of the Olympics (yes, the MVP as a 17-year-old), Slafkovsky put up 7 goals in 7 games, unheard of in a men’s tournament. He showed off his high-end puck skills and ability to make difficult plays in tight despite his large frame. He’s been in my top-10 all season and moved into my top 5 this month.
Rutger McGroarty
McGroary pulled off a dominant performance at the BioSteel game, earning the MVP nod. McGroarty showed off speed and tenacity, making him an intriguing prospect. He is continuing to look like a versatile player that could move up and down a line-up with ease. He’s a player to continue to keep an eye on in the coming months.
Rank |
Position and Name | Height and Weight | Team and League |
| 1. | C Shane Wright | 6’1 188 | Kingston (OHL) |
| 2. | C Matthew Savoie | 5’9 180 | Winnipeg (WHL) |
| 3. | C Logan Cooley | 5’10 174 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 4. | W Juraj Slafkovsky | 6’4 225 | TPS (FIN) |
| 5. | D Simon Nemec | 6’1 192 | HK Nitra (SLO) |
| 6. | W Joakim Kemell | 5’11 180 | JYP (FIN) |
| 7. | C Brad Lambert | 6’0 180 | JYP (FIN) |
| 8. | W Danila Yurov | 6’1 172 | Magnitogorsk (KHL) |
| 9. | C/W Frank Nazar | 5’10 174 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 10. | D David Jiricek | 6’4 176 | HC Plzn (CZE) |
| 11. | W Ivan Miroshnichenko | 6’1 185 | MHL (Russia) |
| 12. | C Conor Geekie | 6’4 205 | Winnipeg (WHL) |
| 13. | C/W Rutger McGroarty | 6’1 204 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 14. | D Seamus Casey | 5’10 162 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 15. | W Cutter Gauthier | 6’3 190 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 16. | W Gleb Trikozov | 6’1 185 | MHL (RUS) |
| 17. | D Ryan Chesney | 6’0 194 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 18. | W Filip Mesar | 5’9 165 | SLO |
| 19. | W Isaac Howard | 5’10 183 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 20. | D Ty Nelson | 5’8 172 | North Bay (OHL) |
| 21. | D Kevin Korchinski | 6’2 175 | Seattle (WHL) |
| 22. | W Marco Kasper | 5’10 176 | Rogle (SWE) |
| 23. | D Dante Mateychuk | 5’11 192 | Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| 24. | C/W Noah Ostlund | 5’10 160 | Djurgardens (SWE) |
| 25. | C/W Jonathan Lekkerimaki | 5’11 172 | Djurgardens (SWE) |
| 26. | C Jack Hughes | 6’0 165 | Northeastern (NCAA) |
| 27. | D Lane Hutson | 5’8 150 | US NDTP (USHL) |
| 28. | D Tristan Luneau | 6’2 174 | Gatineau (QMJHL) |
| 29. | C/W Nathan Gaucher | 6’3 207 | Quebec (QMJHL) |
| 30. | D Pavel Mintyukov | 6’2 190 | Saginaw (OHL) |
| 31. | F Jimmy Snuggerud | 6’2 186 | US NDTP (USHL) |
| 32. | D Owen Pickering | 6’5 180 | Swift Current (WHL) |
