The Florida Panthers pick is racking up points for Mississauga and making a case for a world junior spot with Canada. Learn more about him and more hot prospects in our weekly wrap.
Owen Tippett (No. 74) chased by Merrick Rippon|Graig Abel/Getty Images
We’re just a little over a month away from the world juniors, which means players are beginning to polish their resumes for national team service. Team Canada seems particularly wide open this year, especially since so many NHL rookies are still possibilities for service (like Robert Thomas in St. Louis or Michael Rasmussen in Detroit, for example). Meanwhile, the Minnesota high school season is about to kick off, meaning all draft prospects will be officially on the ice now. Let’s see who is making noise right now.
Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL): The OHL player of the week, Tippett earned the honor with eight points in his past three games. The Florida Panthers prospect is an elite scorer with great size and speed but a wild card for the world juniors because he’s still working on his game away from the puck. Does Canada see the glass half-full or half-empty? NHL arrival: 2019-20
Evan Barratt, C, Penn State Nittany Lions (BigTen): Now tied for the national lead in scoring with linemate Alex Limoges, Barratt posted a hat trick in an OT win over Michigan to give him 19 points through 11 games. The Chicago Blackhawks pick brings skill, smarts and compete level to the table. NHL arrival: 2020-21
Kaapo Kahkonen, G, Iowa Wild (AHL): It was a perfect weekend for Kahkonen, who put up two straight shutouts for the Wild to earn AHL player of the week honors. A big netminder who has shown in the past that he can steal games (he won gold with Finland at the 2016 world juniors), the Minnesota prospect is rocking a .972 save percentage in five appearances. NHL arrival: 2019-20
Barrett Hayton, C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL): Hayton was pretty impressive at the CHL-Russia series and his play since returning from the Arizona Coyotes has been high-end overall. Playing with pace and detail, the 2018 first-rounder has 26 points in just 16 games and is making a very strong WJC case. NHL arrival: 2019-20
Alex Vlasic, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL): He’s never going to be known for his offense, but it is good to see Vlasic put up some points in his past few games with The Program. The 2019 draft prospect and Boston University commit is a towering defenseman who can really work in his own zone thanks to his reach and he’s also Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s cousin. NHL arrival: 2021-22
Cody Glass, C, Portland Winterhawks (WHL): Honestly, Glass is making his last year of junior look like kids’ stuff with two points per game for Portland. The Vegas Golden Knights pick is an exceptional playmaker and should be one of the most dangerous players Canada has at its disposal for the world juniors. NHL arrival: 2019-20
Jakub Lauko, LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL): The decision to come over and play junior has been a good one so far for Lauko, who has rung up 21 points in his first 18 games. The Boston Bruins draft pick will be one of several key forwards to return to the Czech world junior team this year and his aggressive and speedy game will be welcomed. NHL arrival: 2020-21
Mike Koster, D, Chaska Hawks (Minn. HS): The Minnesota high school circuit held a pre-season all-star prospects game recently and Koster was a standout for the victorious Team Blue with a multipoint game. A beautiful skater and puckhandler with smarts, the 2019 draft prospect is a University of Minnesota commit. NHL arrival: 2022-23
Albin Grewe, LW, Djurgarden (Swe.): I get the feeling North American fans are going to love Grewe once he comes over to this side of the pond. The 2019 draft prospect is a slick shooter and puckhandler who also likes to throw big hits. Playing junior back home, he leads Djurgarden with 22 points in 16 games. NHL arrival: 2020-21
Chase Priskie, D, Quinnipiac Bobcats (ECAC): With 14 points in 11 games, Priskie is one of the top scorers in the conference and he’s doing it from the blueline. The Washington Capitals pick and Bobcats captain is an ace on the power play and also goes about his business cleanly: the senior has yet to take a penalty this season. NHL arrival: 2020-21
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