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2016 Draft Eligibles at the U18's |
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The 2016 draft is still so far away, but already we’re hearing the echoes of some greatness. Obviously it’s too early to really set things in stone, especially since there isn’t a McDavid in this draft. There is however an Eichel. Auston Matthews (the man with the most hilarious spelling of Austin I’ve ever seen) is the man of the hour and an early candidate for the first overall selection. Size, speed and skill, not to mention being born exactly one day from being in the 2015 draft. No I’m not kidding. Matthews was born on September 17 and the cut off is September 16. To me that’s extremely interesting. We get a lot of hypotheticals about where a player would be if they were in another draft year, but I’ve never seen a hypothetical so close to being true. Regardless, this is about 2016 prospects and Matthews whether he goes first overall or not is an elite prospect. The under 18’s have helped showcase a lot of players the year before they are drafted. Connor McDavid had an MVP win as he led Canada to Gold which helped ice the cake of his excellence. There are several players that have stood out for me at the U18’s that are 2016 eligible. Here’s a little on them.
USA
Auston Matthews – Centre/Right Winger, 6’2 197lbs, 17 years old, USNTDP Juniors in the USHL, Presumed 1st Overall
Matthews ended up torching the U18’s as expected on an American squad bursting with youth and exuberance. One thing about the American development system I truly love is the bonding they do by trying their best to have many of their top players grow not only as a team domestically, but internationally as well. Matthews scored 8 goals and had 15 points in 7 games to lead the tournament, including 2 goals in the romp of Canada in the semifinals. He was named the MVP and Best Forward at the tournament. Connor McDavid won the same honours at 16 with an 8g 14p performance, so Matthews is in good company. Matthews is one of the few players I can think of that has a dual Mexican/American citizenship in hockey. Matthews shattered the U18 US leagues point mark with 55 goals and 116 points in 60 games. Just for context Eichel managed 38g 87p in 53gp, Kessel 41g 73p in 41gp and Kane 35g 68p in 43gp. Matthews’s entire line however makes up the top-3 so some caution in looking too deeply into that. He’s a beauty.
Matthew Tkachuk – Left Winger, 6’1 187lbs, 17 years old, USNTDP Juniors in the USHL, Expected Top-8 Pick
Tkachuk is Matthews’ wingman. They’ve formed one of the nastier power duos I’ve seen at the U18’s. Tkachuk led the tournament in assists with 10 and finished with 12 points. On most nights he was the second best player on the ice, which is an unusual way to praise somebody. From the games I watched he deserved his Top-3 Player on Team nomination. Like Matthews, Tkachuk torched the U18 US developmental league and sits second all-time in points in a season. Unsurprisingly the entire line of Tkachuk-Matthews-Bracco are 2-1-3 all time. Unsurprisingly Tkachuk plays a similar style of game to his father Keith, though without the weight problems (for now). He plays with an edge bordering on dirty and never shies away from the rough stuff. It would appear that Tkachuk is following the path of Patrick Kane and wants to get out from Matthews’ shadow. The rumours are flying that he will join the London Knights in the OHL next season for his draft year. He de-committed to Notre Dame. If he makes that move it promises to be a smart one, especially if Mitch Marner does not make his NHL squad.
Clayton Keller – Centre, 5’9 165lbs, 16 years old, USNTDP Juniors in the USHL, Expected Mid-First Pick
The dynamic offensive winger has been overshadowed by Matthews and Tkachuk, but is a much later birthday to go along with an immature size. His skill though…well it’s top notch. He’s ridiculously slippery with that uncanny ability to disappear from defenders and find his way into a scoring area. He was the second fastest player for the USA from what I could see. Keller led the U17 tournament in scoring with 6g and 13p in 6gp on their way to a Silver medal. He was also a big player for the USA at this tournament with 4g and 9p from the second line. One worry is that he does tend to be more of a perimeter player. On a lot of entries he would rush in the wing and turn back looking for somebody open following him. I can’t recall one dump and chase. With the style and age of the tournament it’s rather unstructured play, but it’s something you’d like to know they’re willing to do.
Russia
Dmitri Sokolov – Centre/Left Winger, 6’2 214lbs, 17 years old, Omskie Yastreby in the MHL, Expected Mid-First Pick
Sokolov is the early favourite to be the top Russian selected in the 2016 draft. He is a gifted sniper with size. Something everybody loves. The Russians in general played a very conservative game, but you could see Sokolov’s offensive abilities on display. It was interesting to me that he played centre in this tournament; I know he plays wing in the MHL. He was surprisingly good and I was impressed that he was out taking face-offs on the penalty kill. Sokolov led the Russians to the U17 Gold medal helping beat the Americans in the finals. He finished the U18’s with 2g and 5p in 5gp finishing third on the Russian squad. I really like his offensive instincts and that distinct way he carries the puck. He has amazing hands, an amazing shot and a surprisingly good backhand. Something you don’t see often with Russian players.
Artyom Ivanyuzhenkov – Right Winger, 6’2 224lbs, 17 years old, Russkie Vityazi Chekhov in the MHL, Unranked
The tank. His nickname in Russia (MHL) is танк. The height and weight listed are real, or at least believable when you watch him play, he’s a wrecking ball. In the MHL it’s a defensive league built for long passes and quick odd-man rushes. It’s why so many sniper style players succeed in it, as well as across Europe. Ivanyuzhenkov is built for North American hockey. He dumps and chases and punishes players that get in his way. While the Russians had a disappointing end to the tournament after such an amazing first round this included beating the USA. Ivanyuzhenkov was a constant presence. He was one of the toughest players in the MHL at only 16 (a league that goes up to 21) and was easily the most impressive of the power forwards in this tournament. True power forwards, not highly skilled “power” players that get “power” in their name because they’re 6’2+. My worries are his recklessness and if he has enough offensive abilities to get past the whole Russian thing. He ended the tournament with 2 goals and 3 points and 18PIM.
Sweden
Rasmus Asplund – Centre, 5’11 176lbs, 17 years old, Färjestad in the Elitserien, Expected Mid-First Pick
This was a rather pedestrian year for the Swedes. They weren’t very good at all. They had a few bright spots, but in general didn’t look ready for this tournament. Asplund was one of those bright spots to me. He was the youngest captain in the tournament and it was an unsurprising choice after captaining the Swedes at the Ivan Hlinka at only 16. He’s a two-way centre that is known for his blistering speed, great face-off skills and intelligence on the ice. It was on full display in this tournament. I was surprised by his ferocity around the net and hounding players on the backcheck due to his thin frame. It was very encouraging. He is known as the best face-off man in the SuperElit and managed to outscore the top ranked Swedish forward from the 2015 draft Joel Eriksson Ek.
Finland
Patrik Laine – Right Winger, 6’4 209lbs, 17 years old, LeKi in the Mestis, Expected Top-10 Pick
If there was one player that had a “breakout” tournament, it was Laine. Laine was a monster and led the Finns to an unexpected Silver medal. When he has the puck he commands the ice. He has a rocket of a shot and was able to score from virtually everywhere. He tied with Matthews for the most goals scored with 8 and finished fifth in overall scoring with 11 points. He is definitely a European styled power forward. All about puck protection and possession over physicality and puck separation. He was easily the second best forward in this tournament. Look forward to seeing what he can do in Tappara in the SM-liiga this year fulltime, as he played the majority of the season in the Finnish tier-2 league (Mestis).
Canada
Zach Sawchenko – Goaltender, 6’0 168lbs, 17 years old, Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL, Top Ranked Goaltender
I hate to be a jerk, but Sawchenko was terrible. I understand you have to go with the guy who won the Ivan Hlinka Gold for you, but a mercy pull would have been nice. He looked small and erratic. Like when MA Fleury is having a bad game kind of thing. Overextending and trying way too hard to use his athleticism to the point of it taking him out of the play. I’ll say this; the raw athleticism is there for all to see. This kid is fast and moves laterally like nobody’s business. I wasn’t very impressed. Canada outside of Barzal, Stephens and Wotherspoon weren’t terribly impressive. It’s not the end by any means, but one would expect better from a highly coveted and hyped goalie.
Thanks for reading.
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