The Vancouver pick and likely world junior starter for Canada has been traded to the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s. Learn more about the deal, as well as prospects from the Stars, Sharks, Flyers and more in our weekly wrap
Michael DiPietro|Dennis Pajot/Getty Images
World junior camp rosters are starting to filter out and despite some talent being busy with NHL duty, it’s already looking like a fun tournament. The fact that some top-end kids are unavailable will create spots for younger prospects and it’s always fun to see how those players fare when facing the best junior competition in the world. Meanwhile, the World Jr. A Challenge is approaching and there will be a lot of interesting names there, as well.
As we wait, let’s take a look at some of the players making noise in the prospect world right now, starting with a new earth-shaking trade:
Michael DiPietro, G, Ottawa 67’s (OHL): It’s not surprising that Windsor dealt DiPietro this year, but it is official now and that’s great for the contending 67’s. Canada’s presumptive starter for the world juniors joins a loaded Ottawa squad and the 67’s didn’t even lose a roster player, instead surrendering picks and the rights to Egor Afanasyev (currently in the USHL) for the Vancouver Canucks prospect. NHL arrival: 2021-22
John Leonard, RW, UMass Minutemen (Hockey East): Passed over in his first draft, Leonard was a breakout freshman for UMass last season and that led to San Jose snapping him up in 2018 with a sixth-round pick. This year, he’s one of the top scorers in the conference with 17 points in 13 games and the Minutemen have won nine straight to become the top-ranked team in the country. NHL arrival: 2020-21
Nicolas Beaudin, D, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL): Currently rocking a five-game point streak, Beaudin is a slick defenseman who makes good decisions and can play as either the rusher or the safety blanket. Another WJC candidate for Canada, the Chicago Blackhawks pick now has 20 points in 18 games for the Voltigeurs. NHL arrival: 2019-20
Morgan Frost, C, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL): Frost has taken over the OHL scoring lead thanks to a sizzling stretch that has seen the Philadelphia Flyers pick rack up 15 points in his past five games. A world junior candidate for Canada, Frost has excellent vision and skill and now has 55 points in just 29 games for the Hounds. NHL arrival: 2019-20
Denis Gurianov, RW, Texas Stars (AHL): It feels like we’ve been waiting on a Gurianov breakout for a couple years, but it might finally be here. The Dallas first-rounder has seven points in his past four games and is well on his way to a career season with Texas. Great combination of size and skill. NHL arrival: 2019-20
Isaiah Saville, G, Tri-City Storm (USHL): Saville has been hot pretty much all season and hasn’t lost a game in a month now. The 2019 draft prospect and University of Nebraska-Omaha commit was named to Team USA’s World Jr. A Challenge squad, where he’ll get a good test from the international competition. He’s currently sporting a .937 save percentage and 1.56 goals-against average with the Storm. NHL arrival: 2023-24
Dominik Bokk, RW, Vaxjo Lakers (SHL): Bokk is getting a nice opportunity in Vaxjo, playing on the team’s second line and contributing. The St. Louis Blues first-rounder has 10 points through 21 games, making him one of the top-scoring junior-aged players in Sweden’s best league. He’ll be key for Germany at the upcoming Division 1-A world junior tournament. NHL arrival: 2020-21
Trevor Zegras, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL): A very smart and skilled player, Zegras has stayed consistent in the offense department lately and sits second in NTDP scoring behind Jack Hughes. Zegras, the 2019 draft prospect and Boston University commit, has 35 points in 22 games so far. NHL arrival: 2020-21
Zach Uens, D, Wellington Dukes (OJHL): An offensive defenseman who is very strong on the puck and loves to have it on his stick, Uens (“You-inns”) is a 2019 draft prospect in contention for a spot with Canada East’s WJAC team. The Merrimack College commit has missed time with a hand injury this season, but has still put up 10 points in 13 games from the blueline. NHL arrival: 2022-23
Mads Sogaard, G, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL): Denmark is going to need a lot of help at the world juniors and luckily, they’ve got a pretty intriguing option in net. Sogaard is a monster at 6-foot-7 and he really knows how to use it to take away the bottom of the net. The 2019 draft prospect has some of the best stats in the ‘Dub’ right now with a .924 save percentage and 2.50 goals-against average. NHL arrival: 2022-23
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