Rookie Camp opens today. The Golden Knights have some serious size coming up the pipeline and it will show in the next few years. The majority of prospects on this list got at least a few games in AHL Henderson this season due to covid shutting down other leagues. Here is a breakdown of the players at camp this year:
Forwards:
C Peyton Krebs — Krebs is the guy to watch at camp. The organization is very high on him and he saw a few games with the big club last year before getting injured prior to playoffs beginning. If he dominates in camp, which many expect him to, then he has a decent chance of making the team out of camp.
LW Jack Dugan — With 33 points in 37 games in his rookie season in Henderson — Jack has earned consideration for a spot with the big club this year. The 2017 5th round pick put up extremely high offensive production the season prior for Providence College in the NCAA — 52 points in 34 games as a 21 year old sophomore; enough to lead the NCAA in scoring in 19-20. Unfortunately, the Golden Knights are stacked on forward, so his looks will come with injury.
LW/RW Pavel Dorofeyev — Dorofeyev had a busy year playing 39 games across three Russian Leagues and 24 games In Henderson in the AHL. He put up 13 points in 24 games — 9 of those points being goals. Pavel has a decent set of offensive skills and is willing to battle it out in front to get goals. He’s only 20, so expect another season in Henderson.
C Maxim Marushev — Another Russian vying for a spot in Henderson, Marushev came over late in the season after playing most of the year in the VHL; Russia’s equivalent of the AHL. He needed a few weeks to adjust to the North American game, but ended on a good note by putting up 3 points in 5 playoff games in Henderson.
C Zach Dean — Taken at #30 in this year’s draft, Zach Dean plays his best when the game has opened up and the tempo is back and forth. He has a high top speed and handles the puck exceptionally well when he’s moving at a high clip. Don’t expect Dean to make the team out of camp, but it will be interesting to see how he looks against a higher skill level. Zach will return the the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques after camp.
LW Marcus Kallionkieli — Kallionkieli’s season was largely hindered by injuries. He played nine games for HIFK’s junior squad and six games in Henderson. Given the rust in his game, he earned one playoff game in the AHL. There is plenty of time as he is 20, but he needs to stay healthy and put in a good year whether he plays in Henderson or back in Finland
C Mason Primeau — Primeau was one of many players affected by the OHL’s shut down. He managed to put up three points in four ECHL games and three assists in ten games in Henderson. Decent numbers for a guy who was 19 for all of the season. He uses his 6’5” frame well and at 200lbs has the size to hold his own among adults.
C Jakub Brabenec — Brabenec played 23 games in the top level in the Czech Republic with only an assist to show for it. He is slated to play in the QMJHL next year.
RW Jakub Demek — a 4th round pick in last draft, Demek’s 6’5” frame is enticing. He bounced around levels of Slovak hockey including ten games at the highest level. Next year he will play for the Oil Kings in Edmonton.
LW/RW Jermaine Loewen — Loewen played 22 games in Henderson last season posting one assist and 55PIM. His 6’5” 220lbs frame keeps him in the picture, but he needs to show the talent that has him around a point per game in the WHL. At 23, he is running out of time to prove he can do more.
Invitees: Daniel D’Amato, Jacob Gaucher, Lynden McCallum, Kaleb Pearson
Defensemen
Kaedan Korczak — Taken #41 overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Korczak is a very interesting prospect to watch. He’s 6’4”, 190lbs and plays a very physical style. He had issues this season (15GP 3G 5A 9Pts) hitting the offensive levels he reached in the 19-20 WHL season (60GP 11G 38A 49Pts), but there is still a lot to like. At 20 he may return to the WHL or play in Henderson. This guy has the speed and size to compete. His two assists in 10 games in Henderson this year is more indicative of a packed roster with limited offensive opportunities.
Daniil Chayka — Chayka has a lot of hype after a very strong 19-20 season. 56GP 11G 23A 34Pts. Last year was more of a run-around. The OHL cancelled their season, so Daniil went back to Russia to get ice time. He played in Russia’s equivalent of the CHL, AHL and NHL. His offensive production was underwhelming in that time primarily due to lack of opportunity. Pending unforeseen circumstances, Daniil will play in Guelph this year in the OHL and continue his development. His skating and reach make him a solid presence defensively and he makes a good first pass.
Lukas Cormier — Cormier spent last season with the high octane offence Charlottetown Islanders and he fit like a glove. If Cormier establishes himself in the NHL it will most likely be as an offensive defenseman. He has an excellent hockey IQ and good anticipation in his passing game. He will most likely return to Charlottetown for his fourth season of Junior.
Peter DiLiberatore — DiLiberatore put in a quiet and limited showing in the AHL after concluding his NCAA run in Quinnipaic. At 21, he has lots of time to get stronger and faster. The two most common areas requiring development for most prospects. His game is very balanced, but he needs to make the jump from “above average in the NCAA” to “above average in the AHL”; which will take a few years.
Layton Ahac — Ahac’s role will be as a defensive specialist if he translates to the NHL. He opted to move to the AHL following the conclusion of last NCAA season. At the age of 20, there is lots to his game he needs to iron out, but his frame (6’2” 190lbs) is adequate for the pro game as a defensive stalwart.
Connor Corcoran — You may be noticing a trend with these players. Corcoran fits right in. He has size (6’2” 192lbs), played a small sample size of AHL games last year (2GP in the AHL and 4GP in the ECHL), and had limited opportunities due to a cancelled OHL season. He will play a full AHL season this year and it will become more apparent what the Golden Knights have in this 21 year old
Artur Cholac — Taken in the 6th round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Cholac has a lot of development ahead of him. He played 9 games last year including international play. He was picked in the CHL entry draft this summer and will most likely suit up for the Barrie Colts. He’s played 62 games across the last two seasons across eight squads. With some consistency the organization will have a better idea of how good he really is.
Zach Hayes — Surprise, Surprise. Zach Hayes has ideal size for a Defenseman. The list you’re reading has all of one Defenseman under 6’2”. Hayes is 6’3 and 218lbs. He played 35 games in Henderson (2G 5A 7Pts) and kept his head well above water. He’s AHL-bound again this season and is progressing nicely.
Invitees: Marc Lajoie, Adam McCormick
Goalies:
Jiri Patera — Patera had a rocky 20-21 season posting below .900 in Henderson as well as in the top Czech league. That said, he didn’t get a whole lot of consistency. He played 22 games and had a month off between a few of them. Goalies need starts to build confidence. This year the backup role in Henderson is Patera’s to lose. He posted 41GP 2.25GAA .922 for the Brandon Wheat Kings in 19-20, so there he has shown he has the talent to progress to the next level.
Carl Lindbom — A 7th round pick in last year’s draft, Lindbom has had very limited starts in the last two years. He played in two games last year at the World Juniors and that was it. He played 21 games the season prior, but was called up to the SHL as a backup. He didn’t play any games during that call up, but just getting the tap as a 17 year old is a big deal. McCrimmon might have hit a home run if Lindbom starts showing well with consistent starts. He is expected to play for Djurgarden’s U20 team next season.
Jesper Vikman — Tired if reading about prospects that didn’t get enough games last year? I’m sorry. Vikman played 22 games last year posting sub-.900 numbers across three Swedish tiers. There is hope though. He recently posted 2.53GAA and .921 in two games during U20 WJHC prelims. The Golden Knights could have something in this 2020 5th round pick.
Thanks for reading,
Trevor Neufeld
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