I came back from Minnesota this past weekend after an excellent Frozen Four that saw Denver beat Boston College for the title.
Along with seeing a lot of great prospects, the tournament also got me thinking about some of the big-picture issues swirling around the development world right now. For instance: Is major junior hockey in trouble?
Call it recency bias, but seeing all the teams at the Frozen Four made me ponder how many elite young talents are going the college route lately, even Canadians.
Macklin Celebrini will go first overall in the NHL draft this summer, and he plays for Boston University. Adam Fantilli and Owen Power both played for Michigan before going high in their respective drafts. On top of that, the OHL draft was thrown into more chaos than usual thanks to high-profile kids such as Colin Fitzgerald, Zach Nyman and Caleb Malhotra committing to other junior programs.
Related: Frozen Four Notebook: Macklin Celebrini Wins Hobey, NCAA Confronts the Transfer Portal
While Nyman and Malhotra are heading out to the BCHL, Fitzgerald signed a tender in the USHL with Green Bay. The league’s tender program allows teams to sign a player before the draft with the understanding that kid must play 55 percent of the team’s games the next season. The franchise forfeits its first-round draft pick (or second-rounder; each team can have two tenders) but often gets a game-changer in the process. Celebrini and Fantilli, for example, both tendered with the Chicago Steel.
When I spoke with Celebrini’s family at the Frozen Four, his father, Rick, pointed out that the process allowed Macklin to choose the team and coaches he wanted to play for, just like he would eventually do with Boston University. Major junior doesn’t do that (though for the record, the Celebrinis were impressed with WHL Seattle).
So here’s my modest proposal: Since more high-level players are choosing the college route lately, major junior needs to try the tender model. Give kids the option of choosing their team and see where it goes. If you’re worried about parity, consider that the USHL’s past five championship teams have all been different. If a team is worried about getting left behind, then perhaps they need to improve their operation. As one agent told me recently, “There are some great programs in the OHL – Kitchener and London, for example – then there are some not so great programs.”
I’m sure that goes for the WHL and QMJHL as well. Right now, it feels like college hockey is having a moment. Major junior, which still offers a pro-style schedule and great competition, needs to be aware.
Related: Frozen Four Notebook: Matt Davis Shuts Out Boston College for Denver’s Record Title
The Leone King
Speaking of the USHL, those Green Bay Gamblers have become notable amongst insiders, and a lot of credit goes to coach-GM Mike Leone. A former assistant coach at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Leone brought that NTDP style of system to the Gamblers last year, and the players have benefitted.
Along with nabbing Fitzgerald recently, Green Bay’s current roster includes star goalie prospect Adam Gajan (CHI) as well as hot-shot forwards Julian Lutz (ARI) and Jayson Shaugabay (TB). Oh, and last year’s tender was another Canadian kid, Lev Katzin, who has a solid 33 points through 57 games.
Koivu 2.0
The World Men’s Under-18s begin in Finland next week, and one name to keep an eye on is Aatos Koivu, the son of former NHLer Saku Koivu. The kid is intriguing because he’s just starting to pick up as a prospect, and the tournament should be a great showcase for him.
“He’s a good 200-foot-center,” said one scout. “He can make plays, but he’s more of a finisher for me, especially with his one-timer. He uses it on the power play and he’s been one of the best in the junior league there. Late-bloomer came out of nowhere, was never with the national team. Had a late growth spurt so that’s why he’s been under the radar despite having a legendary dad.”
I’m starting to put my final draft rankings together for Draft Preview, and I’m thinking Koivu is top-75 material, though I’m still talking to folks.
Related: Team Canada’s World U-18 Roster: Which Players Can Boost Their NHL Draft Stock?
Cougar Alert
I’m a sucker for a good ‘hidden gem’ in the NHL draft. Recently, an insider pointed me in the direction of Trevor Hoskin, a center with the Ontario Jr. A League’s Cobourg Cougars.
Hoskin is a 2004 birthday, so he’s already been passed over in the draft twice, but part of that is because he’s just coming into his own as a late bloomer. See, Hoskin is now 6-foot-1 – a full seven inches taller than he was during his OHL draft year. He put up 100 points in 52 games for Cobourg this year and was named OJHL MVP while also clinching the scoring crown. He also added 28 points in 18 playoff games for the Cougars.
A Niagara University commit, Hoskins has been scouted by a number of NHL teams this season, often for multiple games. He’s probably a mid-to-late-rounder, but certainly one to keep an eye on.
Related: Future Watch Weekly: How Deep is the 2024 NHL Draft?
News Summary:
- Future Watch Weekly: Is Major Junior Losing The War With The NCAA?
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