
Again, to re-read that post today is to use hindsight but when it was originally written, the guys I listed in the #4 and #5 spots really were regarded that highly. It just goes to show you how much can change for players from their 16, 17 and 18 year old year seasons in terms of their development.
That said, here's a quick list of five notables for the 2013 NHL Entry draft a full 20 months ahead of time.
5. Curtis Lazar (C) - Edmonton Oil Kings
HT: 6'0 WT: 189 lbs
There is a lot to like about the BC product who is making his WHL debut in 2011-12. He's grown a lot vertically since the Bantam draft and he's filled out considerably with plenty of room for more muscle growth still to come. Lazar plays the game at a high level already, a mixture of high caliber playmaking skills, a deadly accurate shot but with a physical component that scouts have already taken notice of.
Lazar has accumulated 13 points so far this year, on pace with Alex Forsberg and Morgan Klimchuk who are other key '95 born rookies in the league. Of course many will also remember his performance at the 2011 Canada Games where he broke scoring records held by some guys named Crosby and Stamkos. Yes... he definitely can provide offence.
4. Hunter Shinkaruk (C) - Medicine Hat Tigers
HT: 5'10 WT: 165lbs

Shinkaruk played for Hockey Canada at the Ivan Hlinka tournament this past August and was extremely effective despite a lack of stats to prove it on paper. We have been told that he was one of Canada's top forwards but was snake bitten despite his prowess on the attack.
In Medicine Hat he has become part of a lethal 1-2 punch with Emerson Etem. Some will wonder how Shinkaruk will play without the Anaheim prospect while others also look at his size and wonder if he can dominate the pro game as he can at the junior level. Perhaps the success of Tyler Ennis, another small Medicine Hat forward, will help Shinkaruk's draft stock in 2013.
3. Seth Jones (D) - US-NTDP
HT: 6'3 WT: 201 lbs

The WHL's Everett Silvertips hold his CHL playing rights and to this point Jones has not declared a NCAA program as his choice should he opt for the college route. Jones could potentially become the highest drafted Texan in history.
2. Sean Monahan (C) - Ottawa 67's
HT: 6'2 WT: 190 lbs
Now in his second season in the OHL, Monahan has already nearly surpassed his rookie totals. Last year he managed 20 goals and 47 points in 65 games but in just 18 appearances this season he's totaled 33 points. The Brampton product is currently 5th in OHL scoring.
1. Nathan MacKinnon (RW) - Halifax Mooseheads
HT: 5'11 WT: 179 lbs

We were told recently that MacKinnon was Team QMJHL's best player during the 2-0 loss to the Russians in the Subway Super Series. Like I proposed with Monahan, the highly skilled MacKinnon could earn a December invite from Hockey Canada based on his performance this year even though he'd be the youngest player at the sessions were it to happen.
Honorable Mentions
Obviously there are a ton of other players worth mentioning. Here is a quick list of other North Americans:
- Anthony Duclair (LW) Quebec Renparts
- Adam Erne (RW) Quebec Remparts
- Max Domi (C) London Knights
- Morgan Klimchuk (C) Regina Pats
- Eric Comrie (G) Tri-City Americans
- Connor Rankin (C) Tri-City Americans
- Alex Forsberg (C) Prince George Cougars
- Tyler Motte (F) US-NTDP
- Ryan Pulock (D) Brandon Wheat Kings
Please feel free to add names of players you think deserve to get recognized for the 2013 draft. It will be interesting to see who gets a shout out; in the 2010 version linked to above, Brandon Saad (CHI) was nominated as a sure-fire top 5 pick... who eventually fell out of the 1st round.
(Photos: Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oil Kings, Aaron Bell / OHL Images, USA Hockey)
4 comments:
Aleksander Barkov jr. (C) - Tappara
HT: 6'2" WT: 194 lbs
It is not unheard of that a 16-year-old makes his SM-liiga debut, but Barkov is doing much more than that. Currently he sits on fourth place in team scoring with 4+4 in just 15 games.
His father, who played with Russia in three IIHF World Championships and is currently the assistant coach of Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL, was 6'3", 220 lbs in his prime, so there's still room for "junior" to grow.
He'll probably become the youngest Finn ever to represent his country in the WJC. Had he been born just two weeks later, he wouldn't be eligible until 2014.
Rasmus Ristolainen (D) - TPS
HT: 6'3" WT: 198 lbs
Ristolainen is almost a year older than Barkov and he has cooled off a bit lately, but he also debuted in SM-liiga as a 16-year-old and scored a couple of goals in just his second game with the pro's.
He also has a good chance of being one of three 94-born defensemen (2012-eligibles Olli Määttä and Ville Pokka being the other two) on the WJC roster of Team Finland.
Good stuff Eetu, thanks for offering up some Euro names for us!
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