2022 NHL Draft: USA Prospect Rankings

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: July 7, 2022.

Logan Cooley, C, USNTDP (USHL) Projected Round Top 5 Pick

2021 Season Recap The 5-10 179 lb Logan Cooley improved in his second USHL season with 13 goals, 23 assists, and 36 points in 24 USHL games 2021-2022. He also posted 27 goals, 48 assists, and 75 points on the USNTDP Under 18-Team in 2021-2022. Logan Cooley accepted a hockey scholarship to Minnesota.

Logan Cooley SWOT Report

Strengths: The biggest reason he's still a top 5 prospect is because Cooley is the best center at winning face offs in the entire 2022 NHL Entry Draft winning 63.75% of his face offs in 2021-2022. Cooley's faceoff winning ability will allow an NHL team to create a lot of scoring chances once he arrives.

He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck.

Cooley has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Logan Cooley reminds me of Auston Matthews as a prospect.

Weaknesses: Logan Cooley may be NHL ready right now. He's choosing to go to College for a year rather than making an immediate jump to the NHL.

Opportunities: 1. Montreal Canadiens, 2. New Jersey Devils, and 3. Arizona Coyotes. Arizona should end up selecting Logan Cooley third overall.

Threats: Logan Cooley really doesn't have any threats. Like the top two prospects Shane Wright and Juraj Slafkovsky he's got a chance to have an impact early in the NHL.

Potential Grade: 95/99

Before 2021

Logan Cooley is a true blue chip center prospect from West Mifflin PA who began playing Sidney Crosby’s Little Penguins Learn to Play program before going to the Pittsburgh Penguins Under-16 Team which plays at the Mario Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township PA, before going to the United States National Team Developmental Program in 2020.

The 5-10 179 lb Logan Cooley came in and won the first line center job beating out the highly touted Rutger McGroaty for the position. Cooley had 15 goals, 13 assists, and 28 points in 2020-2021 for the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL taking over the position Matthew Beniers held a year ago prior to enrolling into Michigan. Cooley also had 16 goals, 16 assists, and 32 points n the USNTDP Under-17 team while also posting 4 goals, 10 assists, and 14 points on the USNTDP Under-18 Team at the age of 16.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Frank Nazar, RW, USNTDP (USHL) Projected Round Top 10 Pick

2021 Season Recap The 5-9 163 lb Frank Nazar had 15 goals, 20 assists, and 35 points on the USNTDP team in the USHL in 2021-2022 while also showing the skill set and versatility to be a second line center behind Logan Cooley. Nazar also had 28 goals, 42 assists, and 70 points in 56 games with the USNTDP Under-18 Team in 2021-2022. Frank Nazar accepted a hockey scholarship to Michigan.

Frank Nazar SWOT Report

Strengths: Frank Nazar has the has the playmaking, sniping, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, speed, skating, agility, and stick handling.

Weaknesses: Frank Nazar needs to improve his ability to win faceoffs. He did line up at both right wing and center, but he's more of a right winger then a center until he fixes his faceoff ability.

Opportunities: 9. Buffalo Sabres, 10. Anaheim Ducks, 11. San Jose Sharks, 12. Columbus Blue Jackets, and 13. New York Islanders. There's a lot of different teams that Frank Nazar could end up playing for.

Threats: Frank Nazar does not have any threats. He's a pretty safe player to draft.

Potential Grade: 90/99

Before 2021

The 5-9 163 lb Frank Nazar had 20 goals, 16 assists, 36 points, and a +7 +/- ratio in 2020-2021 with the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL. Frank Nazar also had 28 goals, 27 assists, and 55 points on the USNTDP Under-17 Team absolutely dominating against kids his own age in 2020-2021.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Cutter Gauthier, LW, USNTDP (USHL) Projected Round Top 10 Pick

2021 Season Recap The 6-2 190 lb Cutter Gauthier broke out on the USNTDP USHL Team with 19 goals, 9 assists, 28 points, and a +14 +/- ratio in 2021-2022 after fixing his defense. Cutter Gauthier also played on the US Under 18 Team with 34 goals, 31 assists, and 65 points in 54 games with the Under 18 Team in 2021-2022. Gauthier also added 10 lbs of muscle to get to 200 lbs while accepting a hockey scholarship to Boston College where he'll transition to center.

Cutter Gauthier SWOT Report

Strengths: Cutter Gauthier skates well. He may have the best wrist shot power and wrist shot accuracy out of any player in this class. He's got a laser of a wrist shot. He's a big body and ideal power forward who could also end up being an effective two-way forward.

Weaknesses: Cutter Gauthier still needs to develop his passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, and face off ability. I'm not as worried about this because he interviewed well and will have a chance to fix his weaknesses at Boston College.

Opportunities: 5. Philadelphia Flyers, 6. Columbus Blue Jackets, 8. Detroit Red Wings, 9. Buffalo Sabres, and 10. Anaheim Ducks. If one top ten pick sneaks into the top 5, it will be Cutter Gauthier.

Threats: Cutter Gauthier only has one season on the first line. That being said he has the upside to be an All Star caliber player despite this.

Potential Grade: 90/99

Before 2021

The 6-2 190 lb Cutter Gauthier has experience as a first line left winger on the United States National Team Devlopmental Program in the USHL. Cutter Gauthier had 12 goals, 9 assists, 21 points, and a -28 +/- ratio in 32 USHL games in 2020-2021.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Kent Johnson, LW, Michigan Projected Round Top 10 Pick

2020 Season Recap The 6-1 165 lb Kent Johnson had 9 goals, 18 assists, 27 points, and a +15 +/- ratio in 2020-2021 on a fourth line playing next to Matthew Beniers. I've seen Johnson play with Beniers on the power play. Kent Johnson is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility.

Kent Johnson SWOT Report

Strengths: Kent Johnson is versatile enough to play anywhere at forward whether its at left wing, center, or right wing just like our top prospect Dylan Guenther. He has the playmaking, sniping, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, speed, skating, agility, stick handling, and ability to win faceoffs. Kent Johnson can be a force on the power play or the penalty killing unit as he complimented Matthew Beniers at left wing on both the Michigan Wolverines power play as well as their penalty killing unit.

He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck.

He's a playmaker that knows how to pass the puck in short, medium, or deep distances. He will use his hockey IQ and awareness to create scoring chances on offense and prevent them on defense. I love Kent Johnson's work ethic and attitude.

Weaknesses: Kent Johnson needs to get stronger. He also needs more experience at center moving forward if an NHL team drafts him with the intention of moving him back to center which was his original position. He played in a first line role on special teams, but was a fourth line left winger. He may need more time to develop at Michigan before being rushed into an NHL role.

Kent Johnson's floor and ceiling remain a question. He should not get past pick 12 which is where I ranked Johnson on my previous big board. He's a player that has been ranked higher than 12 in every other scouting service. I currently have the lowest grade on Kent Johnson among every scouting service in the country. I have Johnson tied with Mason McTavish for my eleventh best overall player in this draft. Kent Johnson has a better attitude than McTavish so after careful consideration I've moved Johnson ahead of McTavish on my big board.

Opportunities: 6. Detroit Red Wings, 9. Vancouver Canucks, 10. Ottawa Senators, 11. Chicago Blackhawks, and 12. Calgary Flames are all landing spots for Kent Johnson. Even though I have Kent Johnson at 11 on my big board, one team I've strongly considered mocking Kent Johnson to is the Vancouver Canucks at 9 since Kent Johnson was born in British Columbia, the province Vancouver plays in.

Threats: Kent Johnson has a better attitude than Mason McTavish which is why I moved him up from 11 to 9. I also believe he's a safer prospect and that alone could get him pushed up the boards.

In fact, NHL scouts are comparing William Eklund to Gabriel Landeskog, Dylan Guenther to Alexander Ovechkin because he had more goals on the power play than Joe Sakic or Mike Modano while those same scouts are comparing Michigan left winger to Patrick Kane which I feel is a stretch. NHL did a piece comparing Guenther to Johnson with 8/10 NHL scouts saying they'd prefer Johnson.

Potential Grade: 90/99

Before 2020

Kent Johnson was born in British Columbia. He dominated in the BCHL on the Trail Smoke Eaters in 2019-2020 with 41 goals, 60 assists, 101 points and a +16 +/- ratio in 52 games before Covid-19 ended the BCHL season. Johnson has a chance to break out with a strong season at Michigan.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Matthew Coronato, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL) Projected Round 1st Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-10 183 lb Matthew Coronato is versatile to play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. He went from being a third line player as a rookie to a second line player who dominated at left wing, center, and right wing. Coronato had 48 goals, 37 assists, 85 points, and a +37 +/- ratio in 51 regular season games. He also had 9 goals, 4 asissts, and 13 points in 8 playoff games for the Chicago Steel helping the team win the 2021 Clark Cup for best team in the USHL during the 2021 USHL Playoffs as the Steel defeated the Muskegon Lumberjacks to win the Eastern Conference before defeating the Fargo Force after having the USHL's best regular season record for the second year in a row. His dominant play got him a hockey scholarship at Harvard.

Matthew Coronato SWOT Report

Strengths: Matthew Coronato is versatile enough to play anywhere at forward whether its at left wing, center, or right wing just like Kent Johnson. He has the speed, skating playmaking, sniping, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, and a really good snap shot too. The second line forward is a jack of all trades. He's good in every catgeory making him one of the safer prospects in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Matthew Coronato won 59 percent of the face offs he took at center. He can play on a full line, play on the power play, or kill a penalty as a penalty killer. This makes Matthew Coronato one of the safer prospects in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Weaknesses: The downside is Matthew Coronato isn't great in any category. His shooting power and shooting accuracy on both his slap shots and wrist shots needs to be more consistent if he ever wants to be a first line player in the NHL. Even if he doesn't reach that ceiling he'll be an effective second line player.

Opportunities: 11. Chicago Blackhawks, 12. Calgary Flames, 13. Philadelphia Flyers, 14. Dallas Stars, and 15. New York Rangers. Matthew Coronato is a top 15 prospect for me. He can develop into a good second line forward that has the ability to take over a game if you underestimate his ability to step up in big time situations.

Threats: There are no threats with Matthew Coronato. He's a pretty safe prospect..

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Matthew Coronato had 18 goals, 22 assists, 40 points, and a +22 +/- ratio in his rookie season in 2019-2020. He could surge up big boards this season if he finds a way to improve that in 2020-2021.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Chaz Lucius, C, USNTDP (USHL) Projected Round 1st Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 172 Chaz Lucius was a second line center on the United States National Team Developmental Program in 2020-2021. Chaz Lucius had 13 goals, 5 assists, 18 points, and a +6 +/- ratio in 12 USHL games this season.

Chaz Lucius SWOT Report

Strengths: He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck. Chaz Lucius has the playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to be a threat on offense. He's got elite stickhandling as well.

Weaknesses: Chaz Lucius was a second line center in the USHL this season. That's probably hsi ceiling in the NHL too. Chaz Lucius is raw as a skater and suspect defensively. His defensive awareness needs to improve.

Opportunities: 13. Philadelphia Flyers, 15. New York Rangers, 16. St. Louis Blues, 18. Nashville Predators, and 20. Boston Bruins. Chaz Lucius is a top 20 talent. The only question is what team does Lucius end up on.

Threats: Chaz Lucius has durability concerns. He missed time with some injuries, but came back to play. He didn't suffer a season ending injury like Luke Hughes, so I'm not as worried about the durability of Chaz Lucius moving forward.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Chaz Lucius had 8 goals, 14 assists, and 22 points as a rookie. He's a top 20 prospect in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft who could soar into the top 10 with a strong draft year.

Chaz Lucius accepted a hockey scholarship to Minnesota where he will play for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. His younger brother Cruz Lucius is a prospect to watch in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Shai Buium, D, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) Projected Round 1st Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-3 214 Shai Buium had 4 goals, 22 assists, 26 points, and a +16 +/- ratio. Shai Buium got the Sioux City Musketeers to the 2021 Western Conference Finals where the Musketeers lost the Conference Finals to the Fargo Force despite having home ice in the series. He anchored the blue line on the first line of defense in a game I watched where the Sioux Falls Stampede faced the Sioux City Musketeers despite spending most of the season anchoring the second line on the Musketeers.

Shai Buium SWOT Report

Strengths: Shai Buium is a two-way defender. He's got the skating, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and the hockey IQ to dominate at the next level. I see a player that has first round traits on tape despite his size.

Weaknesses: He's only got one full season of experience. Needs to improve his speed by skating faster. Has to improve his shot. You'd like to see him develop his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy.

Opportunities: 18. Nashville Predators, 20. Boston Bruins, 22. Detroit Red Wings, 25. Florida Panthers, and 26. Carolina Hurricanes could all be options for Shai Buium. A lot of scouting outlets have a second or third round grade on Shai Buium, but I agree entirely with NHL Central Scouting that he's a first round prospect after carefully studying him on tape.

Threats: Shai Buium feels like a boom or bust prospect. He will boom if he fixes his shot. If he fails to fix his shot he could bust.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Shai Buium only played in 1 game as a rookie. He needs a huge season to move up draft boards.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Tristan Broz, LW, Fargo Force (USHL) Projected Round 1st Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 179 lb Tristan Broz is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. His impressive rookie season led to him being promoted to alternate captain on the Fargo Force this season. Tristan Broz had 19 goals, 32 assists, and 51 points in 54 regular season games. Tristan Broz had 3 goals, 8 assists, and 11 points in 9 USHL Playoff games leading the 4 seed Fargo Force to a Western Conference Title. Tristan Broz played on the first line with the Fargo Force.

Tristan Broz SWOT Report

Strengths: Tristan Broz has the speed, skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy. offensive awareness, vision, hockey IQ, and leadership as an alternate captain to be a big success. You can line him up anywhere at forward. The fact that he played on the first line with the Fargo Force is a huge plus.

Weaknesses: Tristan Broz had a negative +/- ratio finishing with a negative +/- ratio in his last two seasons with the Fargo Force. He'll need to correct this while also improving his defensive awareness when he enrolls at Minnesota.

Opportunities: 20. Boston Bruins, 21. Minnesota Wild, 22. Detroit Red Wings, 23. Columbus Blue Jackets, and 25. Florida Panthers are all fits for Tristan Broz. I have Tristan Broz at 29 on my big board which would end up going to one of the teams that failed to make the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.

Threats: Tristan Broz just needs to improve defensively. He checks off every other box on tape.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Tristan Broz had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 2018-2019 near the end of his rookie season playing only 6 games. His second year was a huge year where he had 14 goals, 21 assists, and 35 points in 2019-2020. Tristan Broz accepted a hockey scholarship to Minnesota where he will end up playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers this fall.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Sean Behrens, D, USNTDP (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-10 176 lb Sean Behrens came in and got first line minutes on the United States National Team Developmental Program once Luke Hughes went down with a season ending injury. Behrens had 4 goals, 18 assists, 22 points, and a -1 +/- ratio in 2020-2021. Sean Behrens will be going to Denver on a Hockey Scholarship next season.

Sean Behrens SWOT Report

Strengths: Sean Behrens is a great skater. Has the acceleration, foot speed, and burst you want a defender to have. He's got the defensive awareness you want a defender to have. His most accurate passes came on the power play. The ability to be a quarterback on the power play is there.

Weaknesses: He still needs to develop more consistency as a passer and improve his offensive awareness despite having solid vision. His wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy needs to improve as well. Needs to improve +/- ratio.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Sean Behrens. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: Some scouts have him listed at 5-8 and 5-9 instead of 5-10. If this guy was 6-1 he may be considered a top twenty prospect in this draft. One scout said he'd be a top ten prospect, but that feels like a stretch since this draft has so many good defensemen in this draft class.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Sean Behrens had 5 goals, 16 assists, 21 points, and a +1 +/- ratio as a rookie. He could move up draft boards if he improves that.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Tyler Boucher, RW, USNTDP (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-1 201 lb Tyler Boucher is the son of former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Brian Boucher the current inside the glass analysist for NBCSN. Tyler Boucher had 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points, and a -1 +/- ratio in 5 USHL games in 2020-2021.

Tyler Boucher SWOT Report

Strengths: He's extremely aggressive. He's got the physicality, forechecking, stick handling, and movement of the puck that you want a winger to possesss. He's someone who will dominate on special teams whether it happens to be the power play or the penalty killing unit.

Weaknesses: He needs to continue to improve his game offensively as both a passer and a shooter. He's got the ceiling of a third line winger in the NHL, but the good news is he can probably be a second line power play winger and a first line penalty killer at right wing.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Tyler Boucher. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: Tyler Boucher had a negative +/- ratio in both seasons with the United States National Team Developmental Program. He's got to get this fixed at Boston University before he makes the jump to the AHL or the NHL.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Tyler Boucher had 4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points, and a -3 +/- ratio in 2019-2020. He'll get more minutes in the USHl this year so he needs to improve that total in the USHL.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Matthew Samoskevich, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-11 190 lb Matthew Samoskevich has the versatility to play left wing, center, and right wing. He was so impressive during his rookie season with the Chicago Steel that he got promoted to alternate captain for the 2020-2021 USHL season. Matthew Samoskevich had 13 goals, 24 assists, 37 points, and a +2 +/- ratio during the regular season. Matthew Samoskevich also known as Mackie Samoskevich had 1 goal, 9 assists, 10 points, and a +11 +/- ratio in 8 USHL Playoff games helping the Chicago Steel win the 2021 Clark Cup. He was a second line right winger playing on the same line as Matthew Coronato.

Matthew Samoskevich SWOT Report

Strengths: Matthew Samoskevich has the skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want a player to have. Matthew Samoskevich is projected to be a top 6 forward in the NHL who has the ceiling to be a second line forward in the NHL.

Weaknesses: Matthew Samsokevich needs to improve his defensive awareness. This is the one area of his game that he will need to improve once he enrolls into Michigan next fall.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Matthew Samoskevich. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: There are no threats with Matthew Samoskevich. He's one of the safer prospects in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Matthew Samsoskevich had 13 goals, 21 assists, 34 points, and a +20 +/- ratio as a rookie in the USHL. The Chicago Steel had the best USHL record before Covid-19 brought the USHL regular season to a permanent stop. He got promoted to alternate captain for this season thanks to his rookie season. He could surge up NHL Draft boards with another strong season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Jack Peart, D, Grand Rapids HS (MN) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-11 181 lb Jack Peart has added 7 lbs of muscle since being drafted by the Fargo Force seventh overall in the 2019 USHL Draft in the first round. Jack Peart split his time between Grand Rapids High School where he won the Mr. Hockey Award for best High School player in the state of Minnesota as the Grand Rapids team captain and the Fargo Force in the USHL. Jack Peart had 11 goals, 24 assists, and 35 points in 18 High School games. Peart also had 1 goal, 14 assists, 15 points, and a +1 +/- ratio for the Fargo Force during the regular season. Peart also had 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 9 USHL Playoff games. He will attend St. Cloud State this fall on a Hockey Scholarship.

Jack Peart SWOT Report

Strengths: Jack Peart does everything well on tape except shoot with accuracy. His wrist shot power and slap shot power is through the roof. Has the tools to be an effective two-way defender. He is the only team captain in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Jack Peart is great on special teams too. He can dominate on the power play or be effective as a penalty killer.

He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve his wrist shot accuracy and slap shot accuracy. The rest of his game as a prospect is pretty complete.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Jack Peart. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: There aren't any threats with Jack Peart. He's a pretty safe prospect with an outside shot to creep into the late first round like the other second round USHL prospects in this class.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

The 5-11 174 lb Jack Peart is fundamentally sound as a two-way defender that got drafted seventh overall by the Fargo Force in the 2019 USHL Draft. He knows how to check and take up space despite being only 16-years-old. He's a great playmaker and quarterback on the power play as well. He already has 2 assists in 5 games with the Fargo Force. Peart is a guy that looks like a late first or early second round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Jack Peart does everything well on tape except shoot with accuracy. His wrist shot power and slap shot power is through the roof. He's got two more years with Grand Rapids High School in Minnesota and the Fargo Force before being draft eligible for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Dylan Duke, LW, USNTDP (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-10 181 lb Dylan Duke is versatile enough to play left wing or center. The two-way forward had 10 goals, 7 assists, 17 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in the USHL. Duke is going to Michigan, but may not enroll in the University until 2022.

Dylan Duke SWOT Report

Strengths: The versatility to play left wing, center, or right wing is there. He has the passing, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, vision, and hockey IQ that you want a player to have. Dylan Duke will do well on both the power play and as a penalty killer.

Weaknesses: Dylan Duke is an average skater. He's going to need to improve his skating as well as his wrist shot power and slap shot power.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Dylan Duke. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: There aren't any threats with Dylan Duke. He is above average in every category, but not elite in any category.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Dylan Duke had 12 goals, 11 assists, 23 points, and a +3 +/- ratio in 32 USHL games. Dylan Duke has a chance to surge up boards with another strong season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Brent Johnson, D, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-11 165 Brent Johnson had 11 goals, 21 assists, 32 points, and a +15 +/- ratio in 2020-2021. This season was Brent Johnson's first full season as a player. Brent Johnson did enough to earn a spot on the first line with the Sioux Falls Stampede. Brent Johnson is the first Texas born player to enroll in North Dakota.

Brent Johnson SWOT Report

Strengths: Brent Johnson has the skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy that you want a defenseman to have. This two-way defender dominates on both the power play and the penalty killing unit as he's a special teams ace.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve his long distance passes. Also needs to add 15 to 20 lbs of muscle.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Brent Johnson. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: There aren't any threats with Brent Johnson. I'm just curious if he gets stronger and improves his long range passes.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Brent Johnson began his hockey career in Texas with the Dallas Stars Under-13 and Under-14 teams, and Under 16-teams before entering the 2019 USHL Entry Draft. The Sioux Falls Stampede took Johnson with a second round pick. Brent Johnson should finally get more playing time this season after sitting out most of his rookie season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Matthew Knies, LW, Tri-City Storm (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-3 205 lb Matthew Knies dominated as a rookie with the Tri-City Storm. This is probably the biggest reason he got promoted to alternate captain in 2020-2021. Knies had 17 goals, 25 assists, 42 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 45 games. Knies was a first line left winger on the Storm this past season. Knies accepted a hockey scholarship to Minnesota.

Matthew Knies SWOT Report

Strengths: Matthew Knies has the playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, vision, hockey IQ, and stick handling. He's great with dekes too and can make a defender miss.

Weaknesses: He needs to improve his physicality. Not a great skater. He's prone to turnovers..

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Matthew Knies. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: Matthew Knies had 11 goals, 9 assists, and 20 points in his final 11 regular season games. Some scouts believe he got hot near the end of the year which is the biggest reason why his point total is as high as it is. He only had 2 points in his first 8 USHL games this season.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Matthew Knies had 14 goals, 31 assists, and 45 points in 44 USHL games as a rookie before Covid-19 took place. This season he's getting promoted to alternate captain and the first line on the Tri-City Storm.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Guillaume Richard, D, Tri-City Storm (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-2 176 lb Guillaume Richard finally got more playing time in his second seson. Richard was the fourth best defenseman on the Tri-City Storm. Guillaume Richard had 2 goals, 14 assists, 16 points, and a +10 +/- ratio in 46 games. Richard has a hockey scholarship to Providence.

Guillaume Richard SWOT Report

Strengths: Guillaume Richard has the offensive awareness, hockey IQ, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, and slap shot power, you want a defender to have. He improved his +/- ratio. Has a strong work ethic. He's a versatile puck moving defenseman as well as a smooth skater.

Weaknesses: His decision making and defensive awareness needs to improve. It would be nice to see Richard fill out his frame.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Guillaume Richard. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: Right now Guillaume Richard has the floor of a third line NHL defenseman. He has the ceiling of a second line defenseman in the NHL that can be a solid number four defenseman moving forward.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Guillaume Richard only played in 5 games and had 0 points in 2019-2020. He needs a huge season to salvage his draft stock.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Jack Bar, D, Chicago Steel (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-2 194 Jack Bar was a second line defenseman on the Chicago Steel. He anchored the second line with the Steel. Jack Bar had 5 goals, 10 assists, and 15 points in his only season with the Chicago Steel along with 1 assist in 7 USHL Playoff games. Jack Bar accepted a hockey scholarship to Harvard.

Jack Bar SWOT Report

Strengths: Jack Bar has the puck movement, forecheck, body check, and offensive skill you want a player to have. This two-way defenseman dominates as a penalty killer.

Weaknesses: Jack Bar needs to improve his decision making on the ice. He'll get the opportunity to do that at Harvard.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Jack Bar. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: Right now Jack Bar has the floor of a second line AHL defenseman. He has the ceiling of a second line defenseman in the NHL that can be a number three defenseman that anchors a second line.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Jack Bar dominated at St. Andrews College in Ontario with 18 goals, 34 assists, and 52 points. He'll finally get the chance to play with the Chicago Steel this season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Ryan Ufko, D, Chicago Steel (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-10 181 lb Ryan Ufko is one of the better offensive defenseman in this draft. Ryan Ufko had 10 goals, 29 assists, 39 points, and a +13 +/- ratio in 53 regular season games. He also had 1 goal, 6 assists, and 7 points in the 2021 USHL Playoffs.

Ryan Ufko SWOT Report

Strengths: He has the playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy that you want a defenseman to have. This two-way defenseman dominates on the power play.

Weaknesses: He needs to do a better job defensively. Doesn't fore check or body check enough. I would like to see him add 5 to 10 lbs of muscle while maintaining his speed.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Ryan Ufko. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: Ryan Ufko is raw. Right now he's a third line player in the AHL. He's got the upside to develop into a first line defenseman in the NHL, but he's extremely raw right now.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Ryan Ufko had 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points, and a +!7 +/- ratio in 2019-2020. He's accepted a hockey scholarship to UMass.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Ayrton Martino, LW, Omaha Lancers (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-10 170 lb Ayrton Martino had 18 goals, 38 assists, 56 points, and a +4 +/- ratio in 38 USHL regular season games with the Omaha Lancers, but he started his season on the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL before the USHL resumed after Covid-19. He did not record a single point in the 2021 USHL Playoffs. The first line left winger on the Omaha Lancers accepted a hockey scholarship to Clarkson University this fall.

Ayrton Martino SWOT Report

Strengths: Ayrton Martino has the speed, skating, foot speed, best brekaway speed of any player in this years NHL Draft, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist hsot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want. Dominant special teams player who will excel on both the power play and penalty killing lines. Great intangibles along with decent skating make him an intriguing day 2 project.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve as a defender. This is the only area of his game that Ayrton Martino needs to improve.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Ayrton Martino. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: Ayrton Martino is a line 2 left winger in the AHL if his defense remains the way it does. If he can improve his defense at Clarkson than this is a guy who honestly may have line 1 potential in the NHL. He's gonna have to come into Clarkson win the first line left winger job there before fixing his defense. That will be Martino's biggest challenge moving forward.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Ayrton Martino had 29 goals, 50 assists, and 79 points with the St. Michael's Buzzers in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He will finally make his USHL debut with the Omaha Lancers after turning down a team in the OHL Draft.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Red Savage, C, USNTDP (USHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-11 180 lb Red Savage is the son of former NHL player Brian Savage. Red Savage has 10 goals, 10 assists, 20 points, and a +5 +/- ratio. Red Savage accepted a hockey scholarship to Miami Ohio.

Red Savage SWOT Report

Strengths: Red Savage has the hockey IQ, defnesive awareness, faceoff, and tenacity that you want a center to have. Red Savage has a chance to take Miami Ohio's hockey program to another level after he gets drafted.

Weaknesses: Needs to imrpove his passing and vision. Only played one year with the United States National Team Developmental Program.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Red Savage. He's one of forty seven players in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft that can make it to the NHL if he continues to improve his game.

Threats: Someone told me at a bar that Red Savage was named after Red Foreman, the dad on That 70's show. As long as he doesn't call his teammates dumbasses his character should check out.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Red Savage showed off his playmaking in 2019-2020 with 6 goals, 10 assists, and 16 points in limited action. With some USHL centers going off to College, Red Savage should get more ice time in 2020-2021.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects