Prospect Need to Know: Alex Beaucage is runnin’ with the Huskies

The NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau released its mid-term rankings this week and I have to say: it’s a pretty good list. I don’t always agree with Central (neither do NHL team scouts), but there are no glaring problems this year and that’s commendable. Elsewhere, the CHL Top Prospects Game takes place this week in Red Deer, where the WHL will be well-represented thanks to top-end guys Kirby Dach, Dylan Cozens and Bowen Byram, among others. As for my personal draft rankings, expect to see a list next week once NHL All-Star festivities are in the bag. For now, let’s take a look at some of the prospects making a name for themselves.

Alex Beaucage, RW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL): A nifty offensive player with great stickhandling abilities, Beaucage can both dish and finish. Playing on a high-powered Huskies squad that has won eight games in a row, the 2019 draft prospect is up to 26 goals and 55 points in 46 games. NHL arrival: 2021-22

Jared Moe, G, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL): With two shutouts and three straight wins, Moe certainly deserved his USHL goaltender of the week honor. The Winnipeg Jets pick is really starting to get going in Waterloo, where he is honing his raw, athletic game in net. Moe is committed to the University of Minnesota. NHL arrival: 2023-24

Peter DiLiberatore, D, Quinnipiac Bobcats (ECAC): The Christmas break is often huge for young players and for DiLiberatore, that has certainly been the case. The freshman defenseman has five points in six games since returning from holidays, which counts for nearly half his production through 23 matches. The two-way defenseman is a Vegas Golden Knights pick. NHL arrival: 2022-23

Akil Thomas, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL): The IceDogs are a serious contender in the East and Thomas continues to chug along, notching a career-high for goals with 23. The quick and skilled Los Angeles Kings prospect now has 66 points in 39 games and with Niagara having a good trade deadline, Thomas has a lot of weapons around him. NHL arrival: 2019-20

Cooper Marody, C, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Here’s some good news for Edmonton Oilers fans: Marody is hot down in the ‘A.’ The former Michigan Wolverine is on a seven-game point streak with the Condors, putting up 12 points in that span. The smart and talented pivot is now first in Bakersfield scoring, even though he missed games due to an NHL call-up. NHL arrival: 2019-20

Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgarden (Swe.): With five goals and eight points through six games in Sweden’s SuperElit Top 10, Holtz is doing what he does best: light the lamp. Djurgarden is taking a slow-and-steady approach to the top-end 2020 draft prospect’s development, so he hasn’t played against men yet – but he has all the tools to do so already. NHL arrival: 2020-21

Tyler Madden, C, Northeastern Huskies (Hockey East): Madden looked pretty solid at the world juniors for Team USA and he has continued his strong play back in college. The talented and hard-working Vancouver Canucks prospect has five points in four games since returning from the international stage and hasn’t been held off the scoresheet since mid-November. NHL arrival: 2021-22

Anttoni Honka, D, KeuPa (Fin.): Honka began the season with JYP of the top-tier Liiga in Finland, but was loaned out to KeuPa of the Mestis in the wake of declining ice time. Since then, the smart and talented 2019 draft pick won world junior gold and has put up six points in 10 games for KeuPa. He’s the brother of Julius Honka, the Dallas D-man. NHL arrival: 2021-22

Tomas Mazura, C, Kimball Union Academy Wildcats (NH. HS): A big-bodied playmaker from the Czech Republic, Mazura is catching the attention of scouts while playing prep hockey in New Hampshire. The 2019 draft prospect recently committed to Providence College and has 27 points in 18 games for the Wildcats. NHL arrival: 2022-23

Adam Beckman, LW, Spokane Chiefs (WHL): Just 5-foot-8 and 139 pounds when the Chiefs drafted him in 2016, Beckman is now up to 6-foot-1 and 167 – so the growth spurt came. Now a 2019 draft prospect, Beckman is in his first season with Spokane and finding consistency in his offense with five points in his past four games. NHL arrival: 2022-23

About the Author

Ryan Kennedy

Ryan Kennedy is the associate senior writer and draft/prospect expert at The Hockey News. He has been with the publication since 2005 and in that span, Don Cherry, Lil Jon and The Rock have all called his house. He lives in Toronto with his wife and kids where he listens to loud music and collects NCAA pennants.