It’s showcase season, baby.

We’re just a few weeks away from the highly anticipated CHL vs. USA Hockey National Team Development Program clash in London and Oshawa. It’ll mark the first time we’ve been able to see the CHL’s top draft prospects go up against the USNTDP, a group that typically dominates the international landscape – except when Canada won in a comeback effort at the U-18 World Championship last year. Based on the talent you’ll see on this list, the CHL will definitely have an advantage – but it should be fun to watch, regardless.

From there, a handful of players will take their talents to their respective World Junior Championship camps. The top two prospects this year – James Hagens (USA) and Porter Martone (Canada) – look primed for key roles for their respective teams. And that’s going to be fun to watch, especially as many scouts seem to think the gap between them is closer than most would have thought heading into the season.

“Hagens isn’t a sure bet anymore,” one scout said. “He’s fantastic – a game-changer. But Martone, his puck skills, creativity and size make him an elite threat.”

“Hagens is still No. 1,” another scout said. “His brain, it’s incredible.”

Hey – a bit of competition at the top is a good thing, especially after two years of clear-cut No. 1s.

1. James Hagens, C (Boston College, NCAA)

Hagens is off to an excellent start with BC, registering points in nearly every game so far. He has always been a playmaker more than a shooter, so his numbers look a bit skewed. But he’s got some incredible hands and hockey IQ to the point where I have no doubt he’ll be able to be an impact player the minute he steps into the NHL.

2. Porter Martone, RW (Brampton, OHL)

Martone is big at 6-foot-3 and has the pure offensive instincts to be so dangerous. He’s a modern-day power forward – a Matthew Tkachuk, of sorts. The Steelheads captain isn’t afraid to rough it up, and he’s producing at a goal-per-game pace (and at two points per game, as well). Martone was one of the best young OHLers in the league last year and he’s doing a lot of the heavy lifting in all situations for Brampton this year. The gap seems to be closing for the No. 1 pick.

3. Michael Misa, LW (Saginaw, OHL)

Misa’s numbers are mind-blowing. He’s the highest goal-scorer in the OHL right now with more goals than many other draft eligibles have total points. Misa is on pace for one of the most productive seasons ever by an OHL draft-eligible prospect, and he is definitely in the conversation to go No. 2 in the draft because of it. He’s so skilled, and there’s something that can be said about being in the right spot at the right time more often than not.

4. Matthew Schaefer, LHD (Erie, OHL)

Schaefer missed the start of the season with mono, but has played at better than a point-per-game pace ever since getting into the lineup in late October. He’s the clear No. 1 defenseman by most evaluators I’ve talked to based on his pure, raw skill. He also has great size at 6-foot-2 and is as mobile as it gets. Schaefer is a future top-pairing blueliner, and he happens to be one of the youngest players in the draft class, too. Don’t be surprised if a team needing a splash on the blueline takes him at No. 2.

5. Roger McQueen, C (Brandon, WHL)

*Roger McQueen (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

McQueen has been out for about a month and is set to miss even more time with an injury, which is a real shame. Beforehand, he was off to an excellent start in Brandon, making him one of the most talked-about prospects early on. At 6-foot-5, he’s hard to miss out there, bringing out traits similar to those of Cayden Lindstrom last year – including on the injury front, unfortunately. McQueen can push players away like it’s nothing, and he’s got the all-around talent to be thrust into just about any role.

6. Anton Frondell, C (Djurgardens, Sweden U-20)

Frondell has missed significant time due to injury this year, but he hasn’t let his opportunities go to waste. He was one of Sweden’s best players in recent U-18 competition and has emerged as a top-end talent in the Swedish U-20 league. At his best, Frondell has looked a step ahead of most in his age group as a high-end playmaker. Still, you can see a bit of making up for lost time – and scouts are concerned he isn’t a game-breaker compared to others high up on the list here.

7. Victor Eklund, RW (Djurgardens, Sweden U-20)

Eklund is an outstanding skater who creates calamity in open space. He’s the type of player you put on the ice late in the game because you need to generate something dangerous and you know he can do it. The Djurgardens winger likes to use his skating to create plays and competes his tail off. He was one of the top Swedish U-18 national team players thanks to the way he rushed to the net and generated offense, and he also played against men in the Allsvenskan, too. He’s not physically strong, but he did seem to handle physical play a bit better in my recent viewings.

8. Malcolm Spence, LW (Erie, OHL)

Spence is an absolute menace on the ice, and he’s got the skill to step it up. He gets in the way of just about everyone, has some of the best chirps in the class and then will make you pay with a nice goal. He hasn’t had an explosive start to the year, statistically, but he’s still kicking butt and looking like the best player on most shifts. Look for Spence to challenge for a spot on Team Canada at the World Juniors.

9. Caleb Desnoyers, C (Moncton, QMJHL)

*Caleb Desnoyers (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

It’s no surprise to see him doing so well with the Wildcats. He’s on pace for more than 50 goals and 100 points while making his mark as one of the top-scoring threats in the QMJHL. But he’s much more than that – he’s a thinker, a playmaker and a playdriver. Combine it all – and his success as a key contributor with Canada at various levels – and you’ve got someone who will receive a ton of attention from teams at the NHL Draft.

10. Jackson Smith, LHD (Tri-City, WHL)

At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Smith already has an excellent frame for his age. He’s a pain in the rear end to try and beat in 1-on-1 situations because he loves getting in your face as much as possible. He’s quite well-rounded for his age which scouts love. Smith has been one of my favorite defenders since the start of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, showing excellent progress as one of the WHL’s top young blueliners.

11. Ivan Ryabkin, C (Dynamo St. Petersburg, VHL)

Ryabkin has had a difficult season – from a lack of production in the VHL to being a healthy scratch in the junior league, Ryabkin hasn’t produced anywhere like scouts were hoping for. He just looks… lazy, at points. But at his best, Ryabkin is so fascinating. No U-17 player has ever outscored Ryabkin’s 58 points in the MHL that he put up last year, edging Matvei Michkov by two points from his Draft-2 year. He’s got a fantastic shot release and has some of the best hands in this class, allowing him to dangle opponents with ease. We just need to see that consistently.

12. Lynden Lakovic, LW (Moose Jaw, WHL)

A big dude who can score? Lakovic is intriguing for his 6-foot-4 frame and his ability to generate offense from all over the ice. He had a decent 2023-24 campaign but is on pace for around 35 goals and 85 points this year as a key piece of the Warriors’ attack. I have noticed quite a bit of fluxuation with his shots this year game-to-game, but he tends to be the best player on the ice in the games when the Warriors look completely outmatched.

13. Logan Hensler, RHD (University of Wisconsin, NCAA)

Hensler made noise thanks to a hot start with the USNTDP U-18 team last year but has never really backed it up with his numbers. Now playing with Wisconsin, he still isn’t producing much, but he defends and moves well. At his best, Hensler is very involved at both ends of the ice, but he needs to move with more urgency to be effective at the next level. Still, I see a raw defender with second-pairing potential.

14. Cole Reschny, C (Victoria, WHL)

Reschny was one of the most impressive rookies in the CHL last year, moving about at a near-point-per-game pace. A stout playmaker, Reschny has quick feet, an active motor, and is great at getting himself in spots to pick up rebounds. He’s small at 5-foot-9, but he’s smart enough to get himself out of trouble. It also seems to help that he produces pretty much every time I watch him.

15. Radim Mrtka, RHD (HC Oceláři Třinec, Czechia)

*Radim Mrtka (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Mrtka is a huge 6-foot-6 defenseman who showcases a bit more skill on any given shift than his point total might suggest. He’s big, strong, smart, and proved he could shut down just about anyone. Mrtka isn’t too flashy overall, but he made some nice moves with the puck that showed he is no slouch when it comes to 1-on-1 situations as the aggressor. I think he’s going to be a reliable, shutdown defender in the NHL.

16. Blake Fiddler, RHD (Edmonton, WHL)

Sometimes, you just need someone who can move players around, and Fiddler can do it. The 6-foot-4 blueliner is a big-bodied defender who clears forwards away from his net and pushes opponents to the perimeter. Fiddler is averaging around 22 minutes a night this year and already looks better with the puck. He’s still not going to produce superstar numbers, but we should see his output double up to about 30 points, at the very least.

17. Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD (Barrie, OHL)

If you get a chance to see the Colts play in person, do it. Aitcheson is physical, plays a ton on the penalty kill, moves well, and takes away space as well as anyone. I don’t see him being much of a point producer in the NHL, but he’s just a mean dude out there. Aitcheson’s ability to land a giant hit and then join in on the rush seconds later makes him intriguing.

18. Brady Martin, C (Soo, OHL)

Martin has had a good season, even if there isn’t a ton of offensive support around him. He’s a talented forward who can do a lot for a team, but he didn’t get to prove himself in the OHL last year due to an injury. The fact he’s always moving and always looking to either generate offense or separate someone from the puck makes him very intriguing.

19. Cameron Schmidt, RW (Vancouver, WHL)

At 5-foot-8, Schmidt isn’t big, but he’s got the skill to be a potential first-rounder. He battles hard and can make some noise in front of the net because he doesn’t let defenders push him around easily. Right spot, right time – that’s his thing. We’ll see what NHL scouts think next June because there’s no shortage of skill there, and that’s why he has been one of the most productive players in the entire CHL.

20. Jake O’Brien, C (Brantford, OHL)

*Jake O’Brien (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Will O’Brien be this year’s Jett Luchanko – someone who might not have eye-popping numbers, but has a game that should translate well to the NHL? I’ll be honest: I haven’t loved my six in-person viewings of him this year. But you can’t deny the numbers, which look solid in Brantford. He has recently started to play some of the best hockey of his major junior career, and he looks hungry to show scouts just how good he is.

21. William Moore, C (USNTDP)

I just want more urgency in his game. Simple as that. Because if you look at how smart Moore is with the puck, you see a future NHLer there. He has the physical maturity and raw hockey IQ to handle quality competition and he moves well for his size, too. There are still times this year when it looks like he’s the only USNTDP player that looks fully engaged on any given night. Still, I want to see him play like he needs to impress every time he hits the ice.

22. Justin Carbonneau, RW (Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL)

Carbonneau is part of the next wave of QMJHLers shaking up the draft rankings. He’s a great skater who loves the puck on his stick and is capable of making quick decisions while under attack. He’s physically strong, too, although he doesn’t push players around all too often. Game-to-game consistency still needs to improve for scouts to believe in Carbonneau, because there are some nights where he doesn’t look interested in being there. But the raw skill is exciting.

23. Cullen Potter, LW (Arizona State, NCAA)

Potter has had a solid start to his college freshman season as a rare 17-year-old. He had a bit of a dry spell to close out October but I’m not too worried – he’s still getting plenty of scoring chances while being a driving force on ASU. There are size concerns since he’s 5-foot-9, but he’s fast and skilled and can hold his own well enough physically – at least against college kids.

24. Joshua Ravensbergen, G (Prince George, WHL)

After exploding on the scene in a massive way last year, Ravensbergen has continued to rack up wins as a second-year WHLer. It feels like he’s only getting better as he learns to use his 6-foot-4 frame to be more square to shooters. Netminders are difficult to project, given how wild the position can be, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen a goaltender make as big of an impact a year before their draft season. Now, as one of the WHL’s top goaltenders this year, Ravensbergen looks primed to go in the first round.

25. Jakob Ihs Wozniak, C (Lulea, Sweden U-20)

*Jakob Ihs Wozniak (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Ihs Wozniak’s play has started to improve after a slow start, but not everyone is convinced. He started the year off poorly at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but he did score on his first shot of his first SHL game. I thought he played some of his best hockey at the recent U-18 Five Nations tourney with Sweden, too. But when he’s off his game, he’s really off – and that’s what scouts are worried about. He has a 6-foot-3 frame, but he needs to use it if he’s going to be more than just a power-play specialist.

26. Jack Ivankovic, G (Brampton, OHL)

I know the concerns about his 5-foot-11 frame – but Ivankovic feels like the real deal. He’s so athletically gifted and moves quick enough to make up for his lack of size. I’d argue that if he was another two to three inches taller, we’d be talking about him being the best goaltender in the draft. Yes, I hate talking about a goalie’s size as much as all of you, but it matters – and so does the fact that he steals games for Brampton consistently.

27. Milton Gästrin, C (Modo, Sweden U-20)

Even when Gästrin isn’t producing, you can see the raw potential. He plays with speed, battles hard and is a great two-way center. Having good acceleration helps there but he’s as committed at both ends of the ice as you’ll find from someone in this age group. He has a good 6-foot-2 frame that he’s still trying to figure out, but he’s getting better. While I don’t expect him to be a big goal-scorer in the NHL, he’s well-rounded enough to make himself valuable in plenty of situations.

28. Émile Guité, LW (Chicoutimi, QMJHL)

Guité can be a bit hot or cold at times – he looked great at the Hlinka but has had a quieter start to the season in Chicoutimi. I think we’re still going to see the highly skilled winger break through at some point because he understands how to manipulate defenders and get into open space as well as anyone. I just want to see more of it because there are too many off-games for Guité.

29. Carter Bear, LW (Everett, WHL)

Bear has been so impressive to watch this season, putting himself on pace for close to 60 goals and 115 points in his second full year. He’s very creative with the puck and makes some great, high-danger plays around the net quite often. I also like that he’s quick and physically engaged, too. I can see Bear creeping closer to top 15 territory by the time June rolls around.

30. Charlie Trethewey, RHD (USNTDP)

Trethewey started off hot last year before cooling down in the second half. He isn’t popping off by any means this year, but you can see his two-way acumen and his physical traits that make him intriguing. Even though he’s not overly big at 6-foot-1, he takes up a lot of space and puts a lot of power into both his shots and his hits. Keep a close eye on him.

31. Braeden Cootes, C (Seattle, WHL)

*Braeden Cootes (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Cootes might become more of an energy forward in the NHL, and that’s OK. The thing that really stands out here is just how much he wants the puck, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Cootes is also a solid playmaker, often easily finding teammates in open space. I think his value goes far beyond his numbers, but he’s also a bright spot on a bad team right now – imagine if he was playing on a competitive squad. A lot of scouts think Cootes has the potential to be a big riser this year – we’ll see.

32. Adam Benák, C (Youngstown, USHL)

Benák simply hasn’t looked comfortable in the USHL. He’s going to put up just under 50 points, which is good, but he’s not the dominant scoring threat we’re used to seeing. He’s had some overly quiet outings this year – it feels like if he’s not putting points on the board, he isn’t doing much of anything. But we’ve also seen him dominate his peers internationally to the point that the right usage could make the 5-foot-7 forward stand out at the next level.

33. Cameron Reid, LHD (Kitchener, OHL)

Scouts are split wildly here – some think Reid is a mid-first-rounder, while others won’t touch him until maybe the third round. He’s not big, but he can definitely shut down guys. In fact, Reid can do a little bit of everything, making him more rounded than I think some scouts expected heading into the season. Mechanically, though, his skating is a bit wonky and that could hold him back (he has speed, though). I also think his decision-making with the puck could use some refining to avoid uncontested giveaways.

34. Haoxi (Simon) Wang, LHD (King, OJHL)

*Haoxi (Simon) Wang (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

When I went to see Wang in person last month, there were 23 NHL teams represented for a Sunday afternoon bout. And it wasn’t even one of Wang’s better games – yet, he was still the best pure defenseman in the game. Scouts are intrigued about the 6-foot-6 defender who is mobile and generates a ton of offense from the point. He’s doing that against OJHL competition, but with teams from the OHL and USHL interested in snagging his services, he has a chance to take his game to a whole other level. Some scouts think he’s got the skills to be a first-rounder come June.

35. Kurban Limatov, LHD (Dynamo Moscow, MHL)

Limatov is the new Russian defender everyone’s excited about. He’s 6-foot-3, exceptionally mobile and is aggressive both with and without the puck. You want your bigger defenders taking away time and space, and Limatov does that in spades. He’s also on pace for 38 points, which would be the second best output by a U-18 defender in MHL history.

36. Jack Murtagh, LW (USNTDP)

Injuries have limited Murtagh’s offense this year, but he has made them count. He has multiple multi-point efforts and has been on the scoresheet in nearly every game. I think Murtagh has shown enough skill with the puck to earn some serious first-round consideration this year. because he’s been one of the best – if not, THE best – player in most games so far this year. Murtagh has a lethal shot and plays well on the rush, and I think he would shine a lot more had he had better linemates to work with this year.

37. Ben Kevan, RW (Des Moines, USHL)

THe USNTDP likes Kevan enough to use him in a pair of games this year. He hasn’t scored yet, but he’s around a point-per-game player with the Buccaneers, at least. The Arizona State University commit has a ton of upside because he combines a hard work ethic with load of skill. But as many scouts have pointed out, game-to-game consistency is a concern. Still, I think he’ll be a decent pick for someone in the second round.

38. L.J. Mooney, RW (USNTDP)

Mooney might be small at 5-foot-6 – OK, that’s really small – but he doesn’t lack skill. The speedy dangler also is committed to providing solid two-way play, even if he doesn’t always win the physical fight. He has missed time with injuries – he hasn’t played since early October – and he for sure isn’t as strong as teams would hope to help compensate for his lack of size. But on the fly, Mooney can beat just about anyone with slick playmaking moves and is rarely not the most noticeable player on his own line.

39. Carter Amico, RHD (USNTDP)

Amico is a huge, 6-foot-5 defenseman who gets in the way and doesn’t let you dance around him. Consistency is a big issue for him right now, where scouts have been very mixed. But there’s still a sense of trying to deal with faster skaters and adjusting his style to match that. From a raw talent perspective, his mix of size and mobility will make teams excited. But without much offensive ability and a penchant for making mistakes with the puck a bit too frequently, teams might be wary.

40. Sascha Boumedienne, LHD (Boston University)

*Sascha Boumedienne (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Boumedienne had some difficult nights starting out as a freshman at Boston University, but he has received some solid reviews for his play recently. Boumedienne was once seen as a top-15 prospect heading into the season, but his lack of consistency and high rate of mistakes with the puck have left some scouts concerned. It does seem like he’s starting to figure out the speed aspect of the NCAA in recent games, though, which is a positive because the raw potential is definitely there.

41. Luka Radivojevic, RHD (Muskegon, USHL)

After a quiet start to the year in Sweden, Radivojevic jumped overseas to play with the Lumberjacks and early signs have been promising. He had two assists in his season debut and has consistently helped generate plays from the point. Radivojevic is a mobile defenseman who is always looking to make the right play, but he lacks ideal size at 5-foot-10. Still, look for Radivojevic to play a key role for the Slovaks at the World Juniors.

42. Pyotr Andreyanov, G (Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, MHL)

Teams have taken more fliers on Russian keepers in recent years, and Andreyanov is already drawing rave reviews for his play in the CSKA system. So much so, that he has easily outperformed Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tiofei Obvintsev. Andreyanov has been one of the MHL’s top goaltenders, and while he’s not tall at 6-foot, he does seem quite bulky and moves exceptionally well. He’d be one of Russia’s goalies had they not been banned from the World Juniors.

43. Alex Huang, RHD (Chicoutimi, QMJHL)

Huang isn’t big, but he isn’t afraid to get aggressive. He plays a good two-way game and might be one of the more skilled defenders in this draft. The Chicoutimi Saguenéens star likes to slow things down before suddenly beating everyone with his speed and creativity. Huang had a great Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but playing with Schaefer helped. I think Huang can be a solid contributor at the next level, especially if he uses his speed – but I think his decision-making with the puck will get him into trouble.

44. Cole McKinney, C (USNTDP)

McKinney is a mid-sized, two-way center who can play on the penalty kill, block shots and win a ton of faceoffs. He’s not going to be a playdriver in the NHL, but he’s detailed-oriented and exceptionally smart. He also isn’t afraid to land a big hit to channel some energy, either. I think his lack of high-end offensive upside will hurt his value, but he has the hockey IQ to get the attention of teams selecting in the top 50.

45. Conrad Fondrk, LW (USNTDP)

Fondrk was one of USA’s top players at the recent U-18 Five Nations tournament – arguably the best hockey of his season. He can be a bit too hot-and-cold for my liking but he’s known for making some fantastic plays in open space. His poor mobility is a problem for me, though – he’s not going to be able to just rip shots standing still all the time in the NHL.

46. Tomas Pobezal, C (Nitra, Slovakia)

*Tomas Pobezal (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

I have loved my viewings of Pobezal – he’s smart, speedy and makes good decisions with the puck. He seemed to be one of Slovakia’s most consistent players from the get-go at the U18s last year and he always brought the energy. I could see Pobezal becoming a bottom-six forward who is defensively responsible but also skilled enough to make things happen.

47. Viktor Klingsell, LW (Skelletfea, Sweden U-20)

Klingsell is putting up decent numbers in the Swedish U-20 league, using his crafty puckhandling to win battles. He has been much more impressive internationally with Sweden, putting up some of the best numbers of anyone in the age group. Klingsell isn’t someone who likes to get too physical, but he’ll kill you with pure skill – and he has a lot of it.

48. Owen Conrad, LHD (Charlottetown Islanders)

Conrad is an athletic, strong defenseman who can move the puck and take space away. Conrad’s offense might not be a shining element of his game, but he’s playing with more aggressiveness than we’ve seen from him at other levels – and he’s dang good in his own zone. At the very least, Conrad will earn love for just how rugged he is.

49. Reese Hamilton, LHD (Calgary, WHL)

The first thing you’ll notice about Hamilton is his skating. He’s not big, but he makes up for that with pure mobility and two-way play. He can play a variety of different roles to help ensure his spot in a lineup – something that’ll be valuable at the next level. Hamilton moves so well and has decent strength, but I wish he’d get more aggressive and fight harder to win battles.

*Reese Hamilton (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

50. Bill Zonnon, LW (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL)

Zonnon might not be special in anything particular, but he’s so dynamic and smart. Need someone to go out there and generate a scoring chance? He can do it. Need someone to land a hit? You’ve got it. If he could add a bit more power into his stride, I think Zonnon can be a decent third-liner in the NHL. But as it stands, there’s still enough projectable traits to be happy about his game.

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