
Today I'm looking at the Top 5 forwards out of the WHL that right now, aren't getting a lot of consideration as 1st round picks. Come June, one or two of these guys might have played their way into the top 30, but at this point in mid-November, no one has really been suggesting that they are 1st rounders.
I spoke with B.J. MacDonald on Saturday morning's edition of The Pipeline Show and we talked about the World Junior A Challenge and he also gave listeners a preview of the Monday CSS release. As I suggested, and he confirmed, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be the top rated player out of the WHL - no surprise there.

Folks I have been speaking with have suggested that Saskatoon blueliner Duncan Siemens could very well overtake Musil in the rankings, if he hasn't done so already.
Other players I spoke with B.J. MacDonald about knowing they're probably 1st round talents included Portland forwards Ty Rattie and Sven Bartschi as well as Kelowna forward Shane McColgan.
My top-5 list takes off from that point, and only includes forwards so take Regina Pats defender Myles Bell and set him aside for now. Here are the names of the players that, here in mid-November, I think might be the next 5 forwards to be taken in the 2011 NHL Draft.
5. Luke Lockhart (RW) Seattle Thunderbirds

Not only is the right winger a guy Seattle looks to for offence but he's a contributor on the penalty kill as well making him even more valuable. With 9 goals already under his belt this year, Lockhart has surpassed his previous best and is well on his way to a breakout season this year, his third in the WHL. Originally drafted by Seattle in the 7th round (145th overall) of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft. (Photo: Seattle Thunderbirds)
4. Brent Benson (C) Saskatoon Blades

The 5'11, 187 lb forward was selected by Saskatoon in the 1st round (6th overall) in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft. (Photo: Saskatoon Blades)
3. Colin Jacobs (C) Seattle Thunderbirds

"Colin's coming along, I think he's learning the league a little more every game he plays and he's getting stronger with every outing," said Central Scouting's WHL based B.J. MacDonald in a recent conversation, "The one thing with Colin is that he's very smart; he's always on the right side of the puck and plays at both ends of the ice very well and he does have very good size. The thing I like about him, which is rare and so a lot of teams like, is that he's a right-handed center so those guys are hard to find."
Originally drafted by the T-Birds in the 4th round (67th overall) in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft.
2. Michael St. Croix (C) Edmonton Oil Kings

Noticeably bigger at training camp than he was at the end of last season, St. Croix told me he trained a lot over the summer. He's now listed at 5'11 and 180 lbs so, average sized rather than under-sized with still some more growth expected. Offensively, St. Croix is much less the perimeter player that he often appeared to be last year. He's playing with more confidence as of late and goes into traffic and to the net with more determination than he has shown at times in the past. I think what stands out most to me is thathe's using his teammates more as opposed to trying to do it all himself.
Drafted in the 1st round (4th overall) by Edmonton in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft. (Photo: Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oil Kings)
1. Mark McNeill (C) Prince Albert Raiders

The Raiders started hot out of the gate this year then came back down to reality and there is a pretty solid parallel to how McNeill performed through the end of October as well. He went goal-less for 8 games before finally getting back on track after Halloween. Since then, the Raiders haven't had much success (only 1 win in their last 10 games) but McNeill has rediscovered his offensive touch. Consistency is his biggest hurdle according to scouts I've spoken with but when he's on his game, McNeill looks very much like a player worth using a first round pick on.
Originally chosen by the Raiders in the 1st round (5th overall) in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft. (Photo: Thomas Porter Photographics)
Honorable mentions go to:
Travis Ewanyk (Edmonton) - The versatile 6'1, 185 lb forward can play any role but is at his best when he's physical because the points seem to come easier for him when he's emotionally invested in the game. A terrific sleeper choice with a ton of leadership upside although you shouldn't look to him to be a point producer.
Adam Lowry (Swift Current) - Another big body forward, Lowry checks in at 6'4 and 184 lbs. The son of former NHL player and Calgary Hitmen head coach Dave Lowry, Adam is an intriguing player who has not gotten the results I expected this year. He looked really good when the Broncos came through Edmonton in October but he's only got one point, a goal, in his last 11 games dating back to October 16th.
Dylan Willick (Kamloops) - A hard working, two-way character player, I liked what I saw from Willick although that is admittedly a very small sample size to go on. He's only got 7 points this year, well off his pace from last year, but if you're taking him you're not expecting offence from him anyway. He's probably a tenacious checking forward at the next level.
Colin Smith (Kamloops) - With 13 points he's more offensive than his Blazers teammate but he's also smaller at just 167 lbs. The Edmonton native had 26 points in 48 games last year so he's expected to produce more than we've seen from him so far this year.
4 comments:
Benson is actually from Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
@ ryan: stop cluttering up my comments section with facts and truth!
;-)
thanks for catching my error.
Hey Guy,
Used to play with McNeill, me and some other buddies were talking about his good start to the season. Eventually I see him moving to wing as his skating isn't overly strong and I don't think his defense will permit him to continue at centre as a pro.
But how do you think a comp of Milan Michalek sounds as a pro? Reasonable? Off-base?
Thanks
I haven't seen PA this year so tough for me to say. Someone else might chime in though.
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