12. New York Islanders- Zayne Parekh- D- Saginaw (OHL)
6’0 181 Nobleton, ON February 15th, 2006
Zayne Parekh is known for his aggressive offensive style, characterized by a willingness to attack off the line into the slot, front of the net, or below the goal line. He actively involves himself in the rush, resembling a winger, and uses his skating ability to put defenders on their heels. One scout mentioned he looks alot like Tony DeAngelo at the same age. Parekh demonstrates a quick, accurate, and powerful wrist shot when given time and space. His speed and agility allow him to engage in cycling plays, walking the line effectively and participating in give-and-go passing plays. Described as a transitional/two-way defenseman, Parekh possesses the skills and vision to quarterback power plays. However, scouts express concerns about his frame and overall defensive play. Despite reservations about his defensive capabilities, Parekh’s offensive skills, creativity, and scoring ability, especially as a 6-foot right-shot defenseman, make him a valuable asset, with potential growth expected throughout the season. Lots of scouts see a higher upside in Parekh than they do with fellow OHL blueliner Dickinson.
13. Montreal Canadiens- Aron Kiviharju- D- HIFK (LIIGA)
5’10 165 Raiso, Finland January 25th, 2006
Although recently sidelined with an injury this season which will have him out for four months. But Aron Kiviharju is adept at managing play with remarkable poise and comfort, directing and influencing the game from end to end. His ability to navigate under pressure within his defensive zone and skillfully evade forecheckers while advancing play is a captivating aspect of his game. Despite showcasing early consistency issues at the professional level, he consistently demonstrates the poise, maturity, and confidence required to compete at the highest echelons of the sport. Praised for his excellence in skating, particularly on the offensive blue line, he is described as an “offenceman,” blending the qualities of a forward and a defender.
His hockey sense is lauded as outstanding, contributing significantly to his offensive output. Despite concerns about his 5-foot-9 frame and good but not exceptional skating ability, he is recognized for possessing power-play abilities at the NHL level. The prospect’s fluctuating standing among scouts is noted, with some acknowledging growing pains that have affected his reputation, a challenge exacerbated by the inherent difficulty of excelling as a defenseman. Dynamic puck skills and ease in moving the puck, coupled with strong hockey sense and game-reading abilities, are cited as strengths that could propel him to high draft positions. The persistent question revolves around his size, listed at 5-10, 165 pounds, emphasizing the need for him to be a special talent to secure a prominent draft placement. Kiviharju was once in the talk to be the first overall pick in 2024. I sometimes question if things get worse for him he may even fall out of the first round.
14. Anaheim Ducks- Ryder Ritchie- F- Prince Albert (WHL)
6’0 174 Calgary, AB August 3rd, 2006
Ritchie was great at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Ritchie truly impressed with his crafty offensive skills, and he’s carried that momentum into Prince Albert with impressive stats. Renowned for his proficiency in tight spaces, he exhibits excellent mobility across the ice, consistently placing himself in optimal scoring positions. It’s evident that Ritchie has the potential to emerge as a formidable top-six force in the NHL, particularly excelling in the role of a reliable finisher. Ritchie’s a shifty playmaking winger who can make highlight-reel skill plays with the puck. He protects it extremely well and will commonly shake past or around opposing players, building speed through his crossovers to hang onto the puck inside the offensive zone until a play presents itself. Some people have Ritchie in their top 10. I personally think that is a little too high. No knock on Ritchie it is just who is still left.
15. St. Louis Blues- Emil Hemming- RW- TPS (LIIGA)
6’2 196 Vaasa, Finland June 27th, 2006
Emil Hemming, a 6-foot-2, nearly-200-pound winger, is making waves in the hockey world with his clear and impressive set of tools. Having navigated between the junior and pro ranks in recent weeks, Hemming’s explosive start in Liiga action with TPS has turned heads in the hockey community. Despite limited ice time, he managed to score goals in his first two pro games, a remarkable feat for a player getting around 10 minutes or fewer a night. His versatility and ability to perform against U-20 players have been particularly impressive, showcasing his adaptability and skill across different levels of competition.
During his time with the Finnish national team, Hemming demonstrated his impact, finishing tied for the lead in points with 9 in just 5 games, including 4 goals and 5 assists. While Finland faced challenges in the tournament, Hemming’s standout performances did not go unnoticed. As a 6’2″ winger, he presented himself as a dual-threat offensively, relying on a wicked shot that became a key asset on powerplays. His puck handling and deceptive maneuvers created additional shot opportunities, while flashes of high-level playmaking added another dimension to his game.
Looking ahead, a strong season in Finland’s U20 junior league, coupled with potential Liiga play, could elevate Hemming into the conversation as a borderline first-round draft pick. With his combination of size, skill, and adaptability, Emil Hemming is undoubtedly a rising star in the world of hockey, poised to leave a lasting impact on the sport.
16. New Jersey Devils- Igor Chernyshov- LW- Dynamo (MHL)
6’2 192 Penza, Russia November 30th, 2005
Igor Chernyshov is a promising prospect with an intriguing mix of offensive potential and physicality. While facing challenges in the KHL, particularly in offensive production, he showcases his skills against junior opponents. Standing at nearly 200 pounds, Chernyshov is unafraid to engage physically, often landing impactful hits.
One notable aspect is his impressive mobility for his size, moving smoothly both with and without the puck. His ability to beat defenders in 1-on-1 situations sets him apart from many European pro players of his age. Chernyshov employs a direct, straight-line playing style, complemented by his individual skill and a quick release that allows him to make plays or finish with rapid, one-touch shots, particularly from the slot.
In summary, Chernyshov possesses a coveted combination of traits—a large, powerful winger with exceptional skating abilities and puck-handling skills. His offensive contributions, characterized by pace and a strong net-front presence, suggest he has the potential to excel at higher levels of competition.
17. Calgary Flames- Carter Yakemchuk- D- Calgary (WHL)
6’2 194 Calgary, AB September 29th, 2005
There’s no shortage of scouts falling in love with Yakemchuk’s game this year. He’s producing at more than a point per game, he makes himself difficult to play against and he moves well, too. Yakemchuk is skilled with the puck and makes smart decisions with the puck, but his defensive game can be a struggle sometimes. But at 6-foot-3 with his strong footwork, NHL teams will be excited. Carter Yakemchuk is a right-shot defender with the size and skating to be a top-four defender in the NHL. He has a great offensive game, with the highlight being his massive slap shot, but he is also a very physical defender who can shut down opposing players quite easily in the WHL. This player is poised to be a divisive figure in the upcoming draft due to his impressive size, skills, and aggressive style, especially as a right defenseman. However, concerns linger about his hockey IQ and game processing, leading some scouts to draw comparisons to players with perceived shortcomings like Rasmus Ristolainen or Jack Johnson. This divide in evaluations is likely to result in varying draft predictions, with some ranking him as high as 5th while others place him towards the end of the first round.
18. Buffalo Sabres- Trevor Connelly- LW- Tri City (USHL)
6’1 161 Tustin, CA February 28th, 2006
It comes as no surprise that Trevor Connelly has established himself as one of the standout players in the USHL, highlighting his exceptional playmaking skills. Although scoring goals may not be his primary strength with Tri-City, he clearly demonstrated the consequences of giving him ample space during the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. At times, Connelly tends to attempt too much with the puck, but he remains an entertaining player to observe, boasting a wealth of skill. Last season, the Providence College commit achieved an impressive record of 24 goals and 47 points with Tri-City in the USHL, positioning himself as a potential contender for the scoring title. Connelly’s proficiency and clever puck-handling make him particularly potent on the power play. Notably, his WHL rights are held by the Spokane Chiefs.