Draft stuff: Hawryluk battles

What a wild past few days it has been for Brandon Wheat Kings forward Jayce Hawryluk. On Wednesday, the 5-foot-10 scorer connected for a hat trick, including the game winning goal with under five minutes to play, and an assist to power the Wheat Kings to a 5-4 victory over Regina.



Following the game, Hawryluk collapsed in the hallway and was admitted to the hospital for a battery of tests. Amazingly, he returned to work Friday with a goal and a helper in Brandon's series-clinching 5-1 win over the Pats. Hawryluk, who was ranked the No. 42 North American skater on Central Scouting's midterm list, has 10 points (5+5) in four playoff games.



While Hawryluk was clicking, teammate John Quenneville stayed right in step with his third goal of the playoffs in the Wheat Kings win. A potential second round pick, Quenneville gathered nine points (3+6) in the four-game sweep. 



In other Friday action, Sault Ste. Marie winger Michael Bunting cashed in a hat trick as the Greyhounds closed out the first round with a 6-1 triumph of Owen Sound. A 15-goal scorer during the regular season, Bunting posted five in the five-game series to keep his name among top-50 hopefuls.



Elsewhere in the OHL, Sam Bennett put his hands on display with a high-speed finish in Kingston's 6-5 overtime loss to Peterborough. Bennett, who later picked up an assist, played with energy at both ends of the ice en route to earning the game's number two star.



With Bennett putting forth a strong effort, two draft prospects on the other bench rose to the occasion as Peterborough stayed alive to force a game six. Eric Cornel opened scoring with his third goal of the playoffs for the Petes, while Nick Ritchie provided a key third-period marker while with the two-man advantage, his second of the series.




Niagara defenseman Blake Siebenaler scored the first playoff goal of his OHL career as the IceDogs were defeated by North Bay 4-3. Niagara leads the series 3-2 despite the loss.



Connor Chatham got one final lick in for Plymouth as the Whalers were sent home for the summer with an 8-3 loss at Guelph.The 6-foot-3, 225-pound winger contributed three goals in five playoff games. He had 13 goals in 54 regular season contests.


***

Europe

William Nylander kept up his productive junior pace Friday with a goal and an assist as MODO J20 advanced to the medal round of the Sweden's J20 playoff with a 5-0 victory over Sodertalje. Nylander, who produced a goal and a helper in MODO's 5-0 victory in game one on Wednesday, has seven points (3+4) in four games through the pre-quarter and quarterfinal rounds. He's quick and creative, and you have to think that someone is going to take him in the first hour of the draft.

Also of note is the final shift put in by top-ranked Finnish forward Kasperi Kapanen last Sunday as KalPa earned a 4-3 overtime victory in the Junior B third place game. The clip speaks for itself. Kapanen scored seven goals and 14 points in 47 games of Finland's top professional league this season as a 17-year old.

Draft stuff: Reinhart rolling; Barbashev shows effort

Sam Reinhart continued to build his impressive postseason resume Thursday, scoring a goal and four assists to lead Kootenay to a 6-5 victory over Calgary in Game 5 of the WHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinal. Reinhart leads the league with 14 points (5+9) as Kootenay has gotten out to a 3-2 series advantage. Perhaps the biggest stat of all is Reinhart's line of 25-44-69 in 32 games since returning from the 2014 World Junior Championship.



Michael Dal Colle finished off the rush for his fifth goal of the playoffs as Oshawa eliminated Mississauga with a 4-3 overtime victory. Dal Colle ripped it up in the first round with 10 points in the four-game sweep. Hunter Smith, who snuck into the 2013 draft by four days but went unselected, scored in overtime to seal the deal. The 6-foot-6 winger posted 10 points (2+8) in the series following a 40-point (16+24) regular season.

In the QMJHL, Ivan Barbashev scored two goals including one of of a great effort for the game winner as Moncton stayed alive with a 3-2 victory over Blainville-Boisbriand in Game 5 of their series. The hard-working winger has four goals and nine points through the five games. The Wildcats trail the Armada 3-2 with Game Six set for Sunday.

Nicolas Aube-Kubel connected for this first two goals of the playoffs as Val-d'Or advanced to the second round with an 8-2 trouncing of Acadie-Bathurst. A likely second-third round selection in June, Aube-Kubel scored 22 goals and 53 points during the regular season.



Nikolaj Ehlers capped the first round with a pair of goals as Halifax moved on with a 11-3 trouncing of Charlottetown. Ehlers tuned the Islanders with four goals and 10 points in the four games while riding wing on a line with Tampa prospect Jonathan Drouin. In 67 regular season and playoffs combined, Ehlers has produced 53 goals and 114 points.

Draft stuff: Tkachev tricks; Draisaitl handy

The top CHL draft prospects all scored goals in playoff action Tuesday, but one in particular lit up the scoreboard late to put himself on a certifiable tear.

Vladimir Tkachev scored a natural hat trick in the third period but it wasn't enough as Moncton fell to Blainville-Boisbriand 4-3. Tkachev has an impressive six goals in four playoff games for the Wildcats, and 16 in 24 total games since joining Moncton in late January. Fellow Russian draft prospect Ivan Barbashev has been clicking with Tkachev since his arrival, culminating with two goals and five assists through the four playoff tilts. The Wildcats trail the series 3-1 heading into Thursday's game 5.



In the WHL, Prince Albert's Leon Draisaitl took the puck down the right side and shoveled in a one-handed shot for his first goal of the 2014 postseason as the Raiders dropped a 4-3 decision to Edmonton. The loss puts the Raiders on the ropes heading into Wednesday's game 4.



Sam Reinhart connected via a quick release from a sharp angle for his fourth goal of the playoffs to help Kootenay to a 5-4 win over Calgary. Reinhart has compiled nine points in four playoff games for the ICE, who with the win tied the first round series at two games apiece.



Five minutes after Reinhart's tally, Hitmen winger Jake Virtanen fired in his first of the playoffs. Virtanen was a 45-goal scorer during the regular season to get keep his spot in the top-10 chatter.



Aaron Ekblad scored on the power play for his first goal of the playoffs as Barrie defeated Sudbury 6-4. The victory gives the Colts a 3-0 series advantage. Ekblad's power play marker comes on the heels of a 23-goal regular season that included 16 with the man advantage.



Michael Dal Colle used his big frame to score a pair of goals as Oshawa earned a 6-5 overtime victory in Mississauga. Dal Calle is rising to the postseason occasion with four goals and eight points as the Generals have gotten out to a 3-0 series lead.



Windsor was clobbered 10-2 by London, but Josh Ho-Sang still found a way to get on the board late. The power play marker was Ho-Sang's first of the series after going nearly nine full periods without lighting the lamp. The Spits will look to avoid elimination on Thursday.


Nick Ritchie went backdoor on the power play to give Peterborough an early lead in their 4-2 loss to Kingston. The goals was Ritchie's first postseason point following a 39-goal, 74-point regular season.



Also of note (read: no eye candy)...

Sam Bennett also got in on the Tuesday fun, scoring an empty-net goal in Kingston's victory over Peterborough. Bennett has chipped in five points (2+3) to help the Fronts get out to a 3-0 series lead.

Nikolai Ehlers notched a pair of assists as Halifax bested Charlottetown 4-1. The double helpers vault the fast-rising Ehlers to eight playoff points (2+6) through three playoff games for the Mooseheads, who will look to close out the first round Thursday in PEI.

Goaltending prospect Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 52 of 53 shots as Plymouth stifled the high-flying Guelph offense en route to a 2-1 victory. The first-star effort was the fourth time this season that the Ohio native was forced to make 50+ saves.

Draft stuff: Ehlers bags beauty; Dal Colle goes big

Nikolaj Ehlers showed why his draft stock keeps rising Friday, using his speed and hands to score a beautiful power play goal as Halifax opened the playoffs with a 6-3 doubling of Charlottetown. Give a kid a little bit of light, and he'll kick it into gear and make something happen. That's exactly what Ehlers did to give the Mooseheads a 1-0 lead late in the first period.

After scoring 49 goals during the regular season, Ehlers now has a cumulative 50 strikes in his first 64 games of North American junior. Not too shabby.



Elsewhere in the QMJHL, Vladimir Tkachev (+3) notched two goals including the overtime winner plus an assist, and Ivan Barbashev (+2) kicked in a goal and three helpers as visiting Moncton outgunned Blainville-Boisbriand 6-5. Tkachev previously collected 30 points (10+20) in 20 games after joining the Wildcats in January. The hard-nosed Barbashev finished the regular season with 25 goals and 68 points in 48 games.

In OHL action, Michael Dal Colle erupted for a five-point night with two goals and three assists as Oshawa cruised to a 6-0 shutout win over Mississauga. The productive effort represents Dal Colle's highest single game output since a five-assist night back on Nov. 5 versus Ottawa.

Jared McCann scored a pair of goals as Sault Ste. Marie was defeated in overtime by Owen Sound 5-4. McCann's marks, which came 5:46 apart in the third period, swung the momentum in favor of the Hounds before the Attack would claw back to force extra time.

In the WHL, Julius Honka scored a power play goal to earn the game's number three star as Swift Current dropped a 2-1 decision at Medicine Hat. Eight of Honka's 16 goals in the regular season came with the man advantage.



Connor Chatham posted in front of the net and tipped a shot for a late power play goal as Plymouth was downed by Guelph 5-2. The Belleville, IL native scored 13 goals as an OHL rookie, but captured just one in his last dozen games.



On Thursday, Sam Reinhart scored twice and added an assist to lead Kootenay to a 5-2 win over Calgary in the first game of their best-of-seven series. The playmaking pivot entered the series having collected just three points in his first 16 postseason games.

Draft stuff: Leon king on Friday; Milano clutch

A quick cruise through some Friday 2014 draft happenings.

WHL: DEUTSCHLAND DANGLER DOES IT AGAIN

Leon Draisaitl gathered a pair of goals and two helpers to lead Prince Albert to a  5-2 win over Calgary. The German forward has points in 18 of his last 20 games to creep closer to the 100-point milestone. He'll enter the final five games with 96 points (34+62).

Jake Virtanen scored both of the Hitmen goals in the loss to the Raiders, giving him 42 in 67 games this season. He posted 16 in 62 games a season ago.

Sam Reinhart collected two assists as Kootenay defeated Medicine Hat 5-2. Like Draisaitl, Reinhart has 34 goals and 96 points this season, including an impressive18 goals and 28 assists in 22 games since returning from the World Junior Championship.

Conner Bleackley pounced on his own rebound for goal #29 on the year in Red Deer's 4-1 victory over Swift Current. The Rebels captain has tallies in back-to-back games after missing the mark in his previous four games.

Chase De Leo went back door (again) to finish off the rush as Portland smoked Seattle 7-3. De Leo's goal, his 38th of the year, gives him seven marks in his last seven outings.



OHL: MCKEOWN ROLLIN'

Roland McKeown scored twice, including a real nice effort on his first of the night, as Kingston rolled past Oshawa 6-2. The big defenseman has 11 goals, 42 points, and a plus-35 rating this season. Generals winger Michael Dal Colle recorded two power play helpers in defeat to advance his stat line to 38-56-94 through 65 games. Sam Bennett did not play after receiving a suspension for a cross-check/high stick in the Fronts' Thursday loss to Peterborough.



Robby Fabbri raced down the ice to pot his 43rd goal in Guelph's 6-2 loss to Owen Sound. Fabbiri has connected for nine goals in his last 10 games.

USHL: ALWAYS SONNY IN ANN ARBOR

Sonny Milano notched two goals, including the overtime winner, plus an assist as Team USA downed Cedar Rapids 5-4. The Boston College commit has produced against high level talent all season long en route to capturing 34 points (11+23) in 19 USHL contests and firming his spot as a legit top-15 draft contender. Fellow draft eligible Alex Tuch snagged a goal and an assist, while 2015 stud Jack Eichel produced 1+2.

QMJHL: ELECTRIC EHLERS

Halifax forward Nikolaj Ehlers entered Thursday's tilt with Charlottetown having captured three-straight hat tricks. That run came to an end, but the sniper still produced a goal and two assists in the Mooseheads' 7-4 win. The native of Denmark enters Saturday's matchup with Saint John with a nime-game point streak that has seen him pocket 17 goals and nine assists.

Draft stuff: Ehlers electric; Reinhart halted

Nikolaj Ehlers remained red hot Saturday, notching three goals and an assist for the second straight night as Halifax cruised past Moncton 5-2. The sniping winger's back-to-back natural hat tricks give him 13 goals in his last six games, upping his season point total to 43-48-91 through 57 appearances while skating alongside Lightning prospect Jonathan Drouin. Fellow first-round talent Ivan Barbashev connected for his 25th goal for Moncton in defeat.

With Ehlers posting four points in the Quebec league, Brandon's Jayce Hawryluk was busy in the WHL putting up five (2+3) to guide the Wheat Kings to a 8-5 victory over Saskatoon. The 5-foot-10 forward has 12 points in his last four games, leaving him with 22 goals and 62 points this season. His final point on the night was an assist on a tap-in goal by fellow draft eligible John Quenneville. Quenneville's 23 goal of the year snaps a six-game drought, his second-longest goalless stretch of the season.



Leon Draisaitl came out on top in a battle between the top two WHL prospects for the 2013 draft, notching the game winning goal and an assist as his Prince Albert Raiders earned a 4-2 victory over Sam Reinhart and the Kootenay ICE. The two-point night elevates the German to 30 goals and 88 points through 57 games. He has points in 16 of his last 18 games to help the Raiders close in on the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with seven regular season tilts left to play. Reinhart was unable to get on the score sheet, ending his season-long point streak at 22 games. Reinhart amassed 18 goals and 48 points through his sparkling run, which began back on Dec. 4

In exhibition play, Sonny Milano scored a nice power play marker and added two assists as the Team USA Under-18 earned a 4-3 overtime victory over Michigan State. Committed to Boston College, Milano led the NTDP with five goals and 16 points in 14 games against NCAA competition this season. Fellow BC recruit Alex Tuch notched an assist in the U18 win, giving him eight goals and 15 points in 16 exhibitions versus NCAA opponents. By the way, stud 2015 Jack Eichel connected for two goals, including the game winner, plus an assist for the U18s.

In the OHL, Sam Bennett buried a Spencer Watson ricochet feed for his 36th goal of the season as Kingston downed Belleville 5-2. Bennett remains third overall in league scoring with 89 points.



Nick Ritchie scored the overtime winner as Peterborough defeated Sarnia 2-1. Eric Cornel notched a goal and an assist for the winning side, while Sarnia's Nikolay Goldobin added an assist to his resume to give him an impressive 35 goals and 85 points in 61 games.



Aaron Ekblad notched an assist and tied a season-high with a plus-four rating in Barrie's 7-1 victory over Ottawa. Ekblad's 21 goals are tied for the most among OHL defenders while his 47 points place sixth.

Blake Siebenaler scored his fifth goal of the year as Niagara downed Sudbury 5-2. The steady Indiana native has 26 points in 61 games as a major junior rookie.



Swift Current defenseman Julius Honka snagged a goal and an helper in the Broncos' 7-4 win over Lethbridge. The offensive-minded rearguard has 15 goals and 52 points this season, but has connected for just three goals in 20 games since winning gold with Team Finland at the 2014 World Junior Championship. Hurricanes draft eligible forward Reid Duke produced two assists in defeat.



Brayden Point scored his 29th goal of the year plus an assist as Moose Jaw was defeated on home ice by Regina 7-3. The smallish creator has been one of junior hockey's most underrated forwards all season (77 pts/65 gp), but especially in the second half of the year with 12 goals and 42 points in 25 games since Jan. 1.



Chase De Leo scored his 36th goal but it was all his club could muster as Portland was dumped by division rival Seattle 4-1. The Los Angeles Jr. Kings product has five goals in his last five games to give him a total of 73 points in 65 outings.

Draft stuff: Bennett, Ehlers post big Fridays

A quick cruise through Friday happenings relative to the 2014 draft class...

Kingston forward Sam Bennett notched a hat trick plus a helper as the Frontenacs mangled Belleville 10-2. The output vaults Bennett to 35 goals and 88 points through 53 games this season. Fellow draft eligible Spencer Watson chipped in a goal and an assist for the Fronts.



In the QMJHL, Halifax speedster Nikolaj Ehlers matched Bennett with a hat trick and assist of his own in the Mooseheads' 6-0 blanking of Bathurst. Ehlers has really ramped up his production of late, cashing 10 goals and 15 points in his last five games to push his season numbers to 40-47-87 in 56 outings.

In the WHL, Sam Reinhart extended his point streak to 22 games with a power play assist as Kootenay doubled Saskatoon 4-2. The smart playmaker has 34 goals and 94 points this season, including a remarkable 18 goals and 44 points in 19 games since returning from his Team Canada World Junior experience.



On Wednesday, Reinhart poured another 2+1 to help the ICE to a 5-1 win at Moose Jaw.



In other Friday action, Robby Fabbri continued to stack points with a goal and an assist in Guelph's 6-5 loss to Sudbury. Undersized but effective, the slick forward has racked up 41 goals in 51 games this season.

Calgary's Jake Virtanen picked up an assist to extend his point streak to six games as Calgary cruised past Kamloops 5-1. Virtanen has 40 goals and and 64 points in 63 games.

In USHL action, Ryan Mantha scored a goal as part of a six-shot performance as Indiana rolled over Waterloo 6-2. Mantha, who in November stood out with his physical style at the World Junior A Challenge, doesn't score a ton (three goals in 40 games) but it's worth noting when he does. The 6-foot-5 defender is committed the University of North Dakota.

Draft Stuff: Ekblad offensive; Virtanen over the hill

Some random CHL notes from the week that was in the 2014 draft chase...

RISING: Travis Sanheim, D - Calgary

Sanheim has shown his excellent footwork all season long, but last week the 6-foot-3 lefthander displayed a keen offensive eye as well with a five-assist night as Calgary smoked Red Deer 7-1 on Monday. Sanheim, who has 11 points in his last six games to up his season take to 4-23-27 (58gp), was rated the 167th North American skater in Central Scouting's midterm ranking.

FALLING: Reid Gardiner, C - Prince Albert

Scouts who arrived for early viewings of highly-touted Leon Draisaitl likely left impressed with the shooting skill of the "other" draft eligible forward on the Raiders roster. Gardiner racked up 19 goals in 37 games through Dec. 31, shooting his way to the 40th spot on Central's list, but then a funny thing happened. The calendar flipped to 2014. Gardiner has bagged just one lamplighter in 23 games since Jan. 1, leaving many scouts asking where the goals went.

~~~

Sunday stuff:

Aaron Ekblad (#3 NA CSS) put forth a nice effort to capture his 21st goal of the year in Barrie's 5-3 win over Sudbury. Ekblad's goal haul, which includes 15 with the man advantage, leads all OHL defenders. Ekblad has totaled 45 points in 48 games this season while spending 79 minutes in the box (three fighting majors).



Jake Virtanen (#9 NA) scored his 40th goal on the power play to force overtime with 6:37 left before Calgary fell in a shootout 5-4 to Regina. Virtanen is avoiding the February wall that many young players hit in their draft year, racking up eight goals and 13 points in his last nine games.



Kingston defender Roland McKeown (#15 NA) got in deep to the slot area and banged in his ninth goal of the year in the Frontenacs' 7-2 loss at Oshawa. The strong skating rearguard has 38 points and a plus-28 rating this season.

Michael Dal Colle (#5 NA) recorded three assists for the Generals' win over the Fronts, with the first coming on an early power play when he got a quick shot through from the right side. Dal Colle has points in 10 of his last 11 games for a total of 87 (35+52) on the year.



Josh Ho-Sang (#18 NA) unloaded a one-timer on the power play for his 29th goal as Windsor upended Sarnia 6-2. The slippery scorer has amassed 81 points, including 12 in his last eight games, and a plus-32 rating this season.




Saturday

More Ekblad eye candy courtesy of a power play rocket to help Barrie to a 2-1 victory over Sudbury. Heavy shot, deadly as a PP marksman.



Staying on the defensive flavor, Sarnia's Anthony DeAngelo (#10 NA) returned from an eight-game suspension to score two even-strength markers plus an assist in the Sting's 6-1 dismantling of Ottawa. The American-born defender, who was docked for a "most inappropriate statement to a teammate", has collected 15 goals and 64 points through 49 games.



Sam Reinhart (#4 NA) extended his point streak to 20 games with a third-period assist in Kootenay's 6-3 loss at Spokane. The secondary helper elevates Reinhart to 90 points (32+58) at the 50-game mark.

In Brandon, Virtanen split the D and flicked his wrist to finish a short break in Calgary's win over the Wheat Kings.



Leon Draisaitl (#2 NA) capped a big week with a three-assist game in Prince Albert's 6-3 loss at Portland. The skilled German, who totaled nine points (3+6) in the week's four games, has showed up on the score sheet in 14 of his last 15 outings to up his season line to 28-56-84.



Brendan Perlini (#8 NA) earned the game's number two star with two goals and a hard-working helper in Niagara's win over North Bay. The big night pushes the Northern Ontario product to 30 goals and 64 points on the year.



The weave was all him, but Nikita Scherbak (#24 NA) proved that good things happen when you get the puck to the net with his 27th goal of the year in Saskatoon's loss to surging Victoria.



 Friday

Nikolaj Ehlers (#22 NA) scored twice to give him seven goals in his last four games as Halifax trounced Shawinigan 7-1. The quick sniping winger has 37 goals and 83 points while averaging 4.45 shots per game for the always-dangerous Mooseheads.

Peterborough forward Nick Ritchie (#7 NA) showed that he has the accuracy to go with the power, wristing a quick shot for his 32nd goal as the Petes blanked Mississauga.



Conner Bleackley (#31 NA) cleaned up a rebound of a Haydn Fleury (36 NA) point shot as Red Deer downed Vancouver 5-3. The 18-year old captain enters the final week of February with 27 goals and 64 points in 62 games.



Stop. Pop. Keegan Iverson (#64 NA) hit the brakes, bought a few steps of space, and lit the lamp for his 20th goal in Portland's 4-2 doubling Kamloops.



Prior to the Iverson tally, one of the sneakiest offensive players in the draft class, Portland's Chase De Leo (#26 NA), went back door for his 32nd goal in the Winterhawks' victory over the Blazers.



Reinhart kept his point streak alive, entering the zone, holding the puck, drawing three D, and kicking it back to the point for a secondary assist in Kootenay's 3-2 shootout decision over Spokane.



Draisaitl made some nice plays to secure two goals and an assist in Prince Albert's 6-4 win at Tri-City. Two of his three points, including a pretty backhand goal, are a click away.


Nick Magyar (#52 NA) buried a feed from fellow-American Ryan MacInnis (#33 NA) as Kitchener was downed by Owen Sound 3-1. Magyar has 16 goals and 40 points this season, while the 6-foot-4 MacInnis checks in with a line of 14-19-33.



Thursday

Sam Bennett (#1 NA) collected two assists in Kingston's 4-3 win over Niagara, including a spectacular effort on the overtime tally that saw the speedy center get tripped up and stay with the play to connect with a streaking winger.



While the interview portion of the combine may tell a more complete story, no one will question Ho-Sang's offensive skill. The speedy Spitfire emerged from the circle and used his feet and instincts to score a really nice goal in Windsor's 4-3 loss to Kitchener.



Tuesday

Relatively unheralded draft prospect Ryan Foss (#99 NA) has been quietly putting together a strong season in Windsor. While he's similar to the aforementioned Gardiner in that he's playing alongside a higher rated 18 (Ho-Sang), Foss' trajectory has been different than Draisaitl's running mate. Foss gathered just two assists in his first 18 games. It's been a good run from there with 26 points in his last 32 games to elevate his stock. Two of those points came in Tuesday's 6-5 OT loss to London, including a nice helper that saw him spin out of a hit by Sabres prospect Brady Austin and feed an open puck to Brady Vail for a Spits tally.




~~~

And lastly....

"Son, there ain't no draft no more."

"There was one?"

We are happy that there is still an NHL draft. We are deeply saddened, though, by the passing of one of the great comedic minds of our movie-watching years.

Thank you for Stripes. And for Caddyshack. And National Lampoon classics Animal House and Vacation. And Ghostbusters. And of course Back To School. If analytics is your thing, you can thank him for Analyze This as well.

Rest in peace, Harold Ramis. 

Draft stuff: Sabres bloodlines well-positioned

The past three years have seen the Sabres alumni become a bigger piece of the brand strategy being executed by the Pegula family. With the 2014 draft four months away, it seems worthwhile to update the progress of a few "Sabres sons" who are working hard in hopes of being selected when the teams convene in Philadelphia.

Portland Winterhawks forward Dominic Turgeon has flipped the switch offensively since the calendar turned into 2014. The powerful 6-foot-2 project, who captured just three goals and 11 points in his first 31 games, has gone off with seven goals and 17 points in 21 games of the new year to improve his draft stock heading into the WHL playoffs.

Turgeon's steady ramp-up hit a peak in the past week, with the Colorado product scoring four goals, including two short-handed, and adding four assists as the Winterhawks pushed their regulation unbeaten streak to 18 games. Carrying the momentum to a strong finish should see Turgeon improve upon his 130th ranking when Central Scouting releases their final list.


Turgeon's father Pierre was chosen first overall by the Sabres in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. Four years later, he was dealt to the New York Islanders as part of a deal that landed Pat LaFontaine in Buffalo. This past week, Lafonatine's son Daniel (also a 2014 draft eligible) committed to play hockey at Canisius College.

In the BCHL, Jack Ramsey has been using his big frame to create chaos in front of opposing goals for the high-powered Penticton Vees. Son of former all-star defender Mike, the budding Jack has gathered nine goals and 23 points this season in 52 junior A tilts en route to being named the 151st ranked North American skater in Central Scouting's midterm list. Ramsey is set to continue his development under head coach Don Lucia at the University of Minnesota in the fall of 2014.



In the QMJHL, Sherbrooke forward Daniel Audette has been red hot of late, producing points in six straight contests and 13 of his last 16 for the last-place Phoenix. The smallish, shifty forward, ranked the 59th North American skater by Central Scouting, has 17 goals and 67 points in 56 games, all the while employing the same skilled, sneaky style that his father Donald played with throughout his 735-game NHL career.


Two spots after Audette on Central's midterm list reveals yet another familiar name to Sabres fans.

Nebraska-Omaha commit Luc Snuggerud (nephew of Dave) has been pushing the pace from the back end for the past two seasons with Eden Prairie of the Minnesota high school ranks. The mobile defender, whose USHL rights were recently dealt to the Omaha Lancers from Muskegon, has gathered eight goals and 38 points in 25 class 2A games this season. Snuggerud's Unlcle Dave represented the United States at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary before playing 215 games with the Sabres.

Draft stuff: Reinhart keeps stacking; McCann nets beauty

Sam Reinhart continued his second-half ramp-up Saturday, scoring his 31st goal of the year in Kootenay's 5-2 win at Brandon. Reinhart has points in 17-straight games, including 15 goals and 18 assists in 14 skates since returning from the World Junior Championship. The offensive surge places him fourth on the WHL leaderboard with 84 points in 47 games.



On Friday, the reigning CHL Player of the Week logged a one-goal, one-assist effort as the ICE secured a 3-2 shootout win over the Wheat Kings.



In other Saturday action, Jared McCann went right up the gut on the power play to get his 25th goal of the year as Sault Ste. Marie downed Windsor 5-2. The marker gives the London-area product 52 points in 55 games.


Windsor forward Joshua Ho-Sang made a nifty play behind the net in the loss, earning an assist to extend his current point streak to four games. Ho-Sang has been consistent with his offense all year long while racking up 74 points (26+48) through 55 games.



Jake Virtanen potted his 36th goal and added an assist as Calgary poured it on in a 8-1 victory at Lethbridge. The power winger rounded out the night with a 10-minute misconduct as part of a third-period skirmish.

Leon Draisaitl notched three helpers as Prince Albert lost to Victoria 5-4. The slick German has six goals and 19 points in his last 11 contests to up his season line to an even 25-50-75 at the 50-game mark.



Robby Fabbri hit the 35-goal benchmark in Guelph's 5-4 triumph at Saginaw. The shifty winger has 29 goals in his last 30 games.

***

In Friday action, Conner Bleackley set up the overtime winner as Red Deer bested Edmonton 3-2. The 18-year old captain has points in seven of his last eight games to improve his season totals to 26-37-63.



Nikita Scherbak placed an accurate shot for his 26th goal and later added an assist as Saskatoon came up short in a 6-5 overtime loss at Calgary. The electrifying winger has points in seven consecutive games.


With Scherbak clicking in the Western League, fellow Russian Nikolay Goldobin was adding to his resume in the Ontario League with goal #35 on the year in Sarnia's 9-5 loss to London. The Moscow native has posted a point in 32 of his last 35 games.



Finnish defenseman Julius Honka struck a one-timer Friday for his 13th mark of the year as Swift Current dropped a 7-3 decision to Medicine Hat. Seven of Honka's 13 tallies have come with the man advantage.

In Quebec league play, Nikolaj Ehlers recorded a three-point night Thursday including his 31st and 32nd goals of the year as Halifax downed Gatineau 5-1. Ehlers snapped a four-game goal drought with the tallies to give him an impressive 75 points after 52 games while riding shotgun to freewheeling Jonathan Drouin.

Draft stuff: Reinhart, Ekblad keep pace

Sam Reinhart kept his post-World Jr. momentum going Saturday, notching a goal and two assists to lead Kootenay to a 4-2 victory over Lethbridge. The smart centerman has collected 11 goals and 26 points in 10 games since re-joining the ICE following his trip to Malmo, upping his season totals to 27 goals and 76 points through 43 outings.

We discussed Reinhart on Wednesday's edition of Roby radio, and one of the things mentioned was how he always knows where his teammates are, especially when getting the puck quickly out of his zone. His second helper, which resulted from him taking the puck on the right boards and firing a spinning backhand pass across the ice to spark the transition game, further proves that point.



In the OHL, Aaron Ekblad produced a goal and an assist as Barrie pounded Ottawa 7-3. Ekblad has 18 goals on the year, with 14 of them coming on the power play thanks to his booming right-handed shot. The marker was Ekblad's third game winner of the year.

Draft stuff: Ritchie five spot, Point trick highlight busy Friday

Peterborough forward Nick Ritchie posted the biggest night for a draft eligible player all season Friday, using his size and power to capture five goals as the Petes dropped a 7-6 shootout decision to Kingston. Ritchie's linemate, fellow draft eligible Eric Cornel, had a big night of his own with a career-high five points (1+4) in the road loss. Ritchie added an assist on Cornel's 20th goal of the year to give him 56 points (29+27) in 45 games. Cornel has gathered 51 points through 52 contests.



Sam Bennett picked up a goal and three assists to lead the Frontenacs, while Spencer Watson (1+2) collected his 31st goal of the year on the power play by tipping a Roland McKeown shot. Bennett now has multiple points in nine of 11 games since flipping the calendar to 2014 to up his season take to 29 goals and 50 assists through 46 outings.



While Ritchie was adding to his stack in the Ontario league, another monster night was being put up out west with Moose Jaw's Brayden Point (No. 53 NA CSS) bagging a hat trick and three helpers as the Warriors blew past Prince Albert 7-1. Smallish but intelligent, Point's career-best six-point effort ups his season totals to 25 goals and 58 points in 53 games.



Prince Albert forward Leon Draisaitl (No. 2 NA CSS) was again shut out in the loss, and now has goals in just two of 12 games since the Raiders dealt Dallas draft pick Mike Winther to Calgary.



Kootneay's Sam Reinhart notched a goal and two assists to extend his point streak to a dozen games as the ICE blew past Lethbridge 8-1. The productive evening gives Reinhart 10 goals and 23 points in nine games since returning from the World Junior Championship.

Michael Dal Colle earned a pair of helpers in Oshawa's 3-2 win over Kitchener. Dal Colle has piled up the points all year (32-44-76), but has just one goal in his last six games.

Calgary's Jake Virtanen stepped into his 33rd goal as Calgary blanked Vancouver 5-0. The Hitmen winger had gone without a marker in his previous three games.



In Prince George, steady rearguard Haydn Fleury registered a goal and a helper as Red Deer lost to the Cougars 5-3. The two-point night gives the 6-foot-3 lefthander 38 points (7+31) in 54 games, doubling his 19 points posted in 66 games a season ago.



Niagara defender Aaron Haydon hit off a one-timer Friday in the game's opening minute as the IceDogs doubled Saginaw 4-2. The Michigan native, ranked the 28th North American skater on Central Scouting's midterm list,  has 14 points (5+9) in 49 games.



Robby Fabbri kept up his ridiculous goal pace with two more marks on Thursday and Friday to help Guelph to a pair of victories. The slick yet undersized Fabbri has 34 goals in 43 games this season, including 28 in his last 28.



On Thursday, Sault Ste. Marie forward Jared McCann connected for his 23rd goal of the year on the power play in the Greyhounds' 4-3 loss to Windsor. A point-per-game producer through the first three months of the season, McCann has cooled a bit with 10 points in his last 16 appearances.

Draft stuff: Western lads produce in style

Sam, Reinhart has been a man possessed over the last month of action. It' hard to say if it's the World Junior experience, the Central Scouting snub, or both, but it'd be hard to argue against him for first overall consideration if the draft were to be held today.

On Tuesday, Reinhart kept plugging away in his quest to solidify Kootenay's playoff position with a goal and four assists in a 6-3 doubling of Saskatoon. For those keeping score at home, Reinhart has now gathered nine goals and 20 points in eight games since returning from the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship. The five-point night gives Reinhart an even 70 points on the year (25+45, 1.71 pts/game).



In other Tuesday action, Leon Draisaitl snapped a nine-game goal drought in style with a hard-earned hat trick to lead Prince Albert to a 5-2 victory over Swift Current. I highly recommend hitting the play button below if you'd like to know what I mean by "in style".



The guy even made an empty-netter look exciting. Draisaitl's markers up his season totals to 22 goals and 64 points in 44 games.

While Draisaitl's goals were quite nice, the tally of the evening just might go to Red Deer Rebels forward  Conner Bleackley.

If you follow on Twitter, you may have picked up on the fact that I'm a big fan of Bleackley. His effort is excellent, his soft hands can fit saucer passes on the tape in the tightest of spaces, and he can score big goals. Add on the fact that he's a 17-year old WHL captain, and you have a player who many teams will be happy to pounce on in the second round if his ranking as the 31st North American skater holds up come draft day.

Oh yeah, the goal. Here is Bleackley showing quick thinking and the aforementioned mitts to force OT with his 24th of the year in Red Deer's 3-2 loss at Vancouver.


Someday, the between-the-legs play will be as overplayed as the dice roll goal celebration. Until that day comes, though, we'll enjoy every one of them.

In the OHL, Robby Fabbi kept up his torrid scoring pace by taking a hit to get his 31st goal of the season in Guelph's 10-4 blowout of Kitchener. The 31 goal output, a solid season for most, arrives after just 41 games. Even more noteworthy is that he has 24 goals in his last 25 games. Fabbri was rated the 25th North American in Central's midterm rankings.



Nick Ritchie notched his 24th goal of the year as Peterborough got past Ottawa 4-3. Ritchie, a Sherman tank-like power forward rated as the No. 7 NA skater by CSS, was coming in off a Friday hat trick. Peterborough speedster Eric Cornel (No. 23 NA CSS) opened scoring in the game's fifth minute by tipping a point shot off a draw for his 19th goal.

Draft stuff: Nylander nets first

William Nylander checked into the draft discussion Saturday, scoring the first goal of his SHL career as MODO defeated AIK 2-1. The No. 2 rated European skater on Central Scouting's midterm rankings, Nylander showed the hands and moves of a natural goal scorer with a twitch fake and finish to give MODO to the 1-0 lead at 13:05 of the middle period.

Nylander's milestone marker comes in his 13th SHL contest. The 17-year old pro had previously scored 11 times in 29 games in Sweden's second division with Rogle and Sodertalje.

Draft stuff: Reinhart caps January with show of hands

Sam Reinhart put the cherry on top of his excellent January Friday, showing versatile use of his hands with a flashy assist and a scrap as Kootenay defeated Prince Albert 4-1.

It seems as if the gifted playmaker has mastered the flip-pass to himself, showing that skill again late in the second period as the ICE scored their first of four unanswered tallies. Reinhart finishes the month with eight goals and four assists in six games, while his third-period scrap with Team Canada teammate Josh Morrissey was his first ever in 182 career WHL games. He'll enter February with 62 points (24+38) and a nine-game point streak.



Prince Albert forward Leon Draisaitl notched an assist in the loss to the ICE to get him to the 60-point mark in his 43rd game. Draisaitl has nine points (1+8) in 10 games since returning from the World Junior Championship, but is currently amidst a career-long nine-game goal drought.



In the OHL, Central Scouting's top North American skater, Kingston's Sam Bennett, gathered the game winning goal and two assists to lead the Frontenacs to a 3-2 victory at Plymouth. The physical affair saw Bennett ring up eight minutes in penalties via cross checking, slashing, roughing, and goalie interference calls - all in the final period of play.

Spencer Watson (#43 NA CSS) opened the game's scoring with his 26th of the year, with Bennett making a dropoff behind the net to draw the secondary helper and first of his three points. Bennett's second assist came after a sensational stop by Central's fifth-rated North American netminder Alex Nedeljkovic, while his 28th goal of the year with :52 to play proved to be the clutch dagger.



In the same game, Kingston's highly rated defenseman Roland McKeown wasn't able to add to his 32 points on the year, but did add to his penalty minute total thanks to his part in sparking a five-on-five melee in the second period. The fight was the second of his 107 OHL games. Last February, McKeown got into it with fellow 2014 eligible Jared McCann.



Aaron Ekblad connected from the point for his 16th goal of the season in Barrie's 6-4 win over Kitchener. Ekblad's low, hard blast came with the man advantage, giving the 6-foot-4 rearguard 12 power play markers on the season. Brendan Lemieux, son of former NHLer Claude, cut for the the game winning goal to up his season line to 17-17-34.



Michael Dal Colle collected his 32nd goal but it was all Oshawa could muster in a 5-1 home ice loss to North Bay. Dal Colle began January with season-long six-game goal slumber, but rebounded nicely to finish the month with five goals in his last five games.


In the QMJHL, Nikolaj Ehlers added his 30th goal plus an assist to his impressive draft resume as Halifax edged Shawinigan 4-3. Ehlers has played alongside Jonathan Drouin en route to capturing 70 points in 47 games. 

WHL scorer Jake Virtanen lit the lamp for the 32rd time this season, making a nice power move to get the unassisted finish to help Calgary to a 7-4 win over Brandon. Wheat Kings winger Jayce Hawryluk showed his quick release on the power play in the game's final minute, and now has 15 goals and and 45 points in 45 games.



In Guelph, Nikolay Goldobin acted quickly off a draw to get his 33rd goal as Sarnia was hammered by the Storm 6-1. Fellow draft eligible scorer Robby Fabbri finished off a give-and-go on the power play late to get him to the 30-goal mark in just 39 games.


In Red Deer, Reid Duke snapped a 10-game goal drought with his first two-goal game of the year as Lethbridge edged Red Deer 6-5 in a shootout. Duke, who started the season goalless in his first 13 games, has 11 goals this season. The six-footer was rated the 65th North American skater on CSS's midterm list.



Keegan Iverson scored his 14th of the year on the pwer play as Portland streamrolled Spokane 6-0. Iverson, who appeared in the 2013 All-American Prospects Game, was right ahead of Duke as the 64th rated North American on the CSS list.

Draft stuff: Bennett returns; Ho-Sang hatty

While Sam Reinhart rested following a Saturday hat trick, Sam Bennett resumed his season picking up right where left off before aggravating his groin.

Bennett returned to the Kingston lineup following a two-week absence Sunday, earning a hard-working assist before topping the day off with a goal in the Frontenacs' 6-1 pasting of Belleville. Bennett's helper at 6:10 of the opening period extended his point streak to 25 games.

As Bennett was getting rhythm back, prize defenseman Aaron Ekblad was busy producing another goal as Barrie dropped a 4-2 decision at Sudbury. Eleven of Ekblad's 15 goals this season have come with the man advantage.

Aside from Bennett and Ekblad, it was a busy Sunday elsewhere for other highly rated draft prospects.

In Sarnia, Josh Ho-Sang netted his first OHL hat trick and the shootout winner as Windsor edged the Sting 8-7. The shifty Ho-Sang, ranked as the 18th North American in Central Scouting's midterm rankings, has 62 points (23+39) through 47 games. Sarnia's Anthony DeAngelo, CSS's third rated NA defender, posted a pair of markers in the loss.

Calgary finisher Jake Virtanen scored his 31st goal of the season in the Hitmen's OT loss to Edmonton. Virtanen's goal haul is currently tied for third-most in the WHL.



Guelph's Robby Fabbri received a beautiful Kerby Rychel (CBJ) feed to cash his 29th goal of the season in the Storm's win over Saginaw. The 5-foot10 winger snapped a three-game goal drought, his first multi-game dry spell since returning from a suspension in late-November.

Draft stuff: Reinhart hatty; Dal Colle keeps pace

Regardless of how NHL Central Scouting built their midterm rankings, we knew that Kootenay ICE centerman Sam Reinhart was going to elevate his game following his World Junior experience.

With two forwards rated before him, No. 1 Sam Bennett (groin injury, returning Sunday) and No. 2 Leon Draisaitl (six-game goalless streak), waiting to improve their draft stock, Reinhart has gone about his business at a high level. The 18-year old talent notched his second hat trick of the year Saturday to spark a 6-2 win over Moose Jaw, giving him eight goals and 10 points in four games since returning from the international stage.

People want to say that Reinhart's skating needs to improve, but the first and third goals showed a nice two-step gallop to advance him into finishing position.

Ranked as the No. 4 North American skater on Central's midterm list, Reinhart has 24 goals and 60 points in 37 games this season for the ICE, who currently hold the eighth and final playoff position in the WHL's Eastern Conference. 

In the OHL, Michael Dal Colle (#5 NA CSS) continued to pile up the points Friday, posting two goals and an assist as Oshawa smoked Peterborough 6-1. The effort pushed Dal Colle's season haul to 31 goals and 70 points after 47 games. Check out the first of his two goals where Dal Colle used his stick to gain one-on-one space and seal the deal:

Reinhart beauty highlights Friday draft watch

Need some fuel for the Battle of the Sams?

Sam Bennett of the Kingston Frontenacs may have taken the number one spot in NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking, but Kootenay ICE forward Sam Reinhart would like to remind everyone that there is lots of track left to run before the race ends.

Fresh off a successful one-goal, one-assist performance in Wednesday's BMO CHL Top Prospects Game, Reinhart returned to work in style Friday in a 6-1 win at Regina. The box score may suggest that Reinhart posted a "ho-hum" one point night, but the way he did it was hardly ho-hum.



Flip the puck. Fake the defender out of his jock strap. Light the lamp. That's a nice goal.

Ranked as the fourth North American skater in the CSS midterm list, Reinhart has enough club in the bag to consistently post plays of this fashion while looking to prove that he is the top forward in the 2014 draft class.

Draft favorites shine

Draft trackers rejoice, as 2014 talents Aaron Ekblad and Sam Reinhart returned to junior in dominating fashion last week after skating for Canada at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Ekblad smacked in four goals plus an assist Saturday in his second game back from the tourney as Barrie bested Kingston 8-5. The monster game gives the big defender 14 goals, including 10 with the man advantage, and 31 total points through 31 games.

Sam Reinhart returned with a first-star performance of his own, collecting two goals and a helper Sunday to guide Kootenay to a 5-4 win over Edmonton. The three-point night gives the 18-year old 53 points (18+35) in 34 games - including six power play goals, two short-handed goals, and three game winners - all the while logging a plus-seven rating and just one minor penalty.

Mike Amadio - RW, North Bay Battalion (OHL)