Hello all – time for our annual post WJC update to my top 20 prospect list. Starting off with a recap of our last top 20 list, here it is:
1. Alexander Wennberg
2. Kerby Rychel
3. Sonny Milano
4. Marko Dano
5a/5b. Anton Forsberg/Oscar Dansk
6. Oliver Bjorkstrand
7. Mike Reilly
8. Michael Chaput
9. Cody Goloubef
10. Daniel Zaar
11. Dillon Heatherington
12. Josh Anderson
13. Peter Quenneville
14. Markus Soberg
15. Ryan Collins
16. Julien Pelletier
17. Blake Siebenaler
18. Joonas Korpisalo
19. Elvis Merzlikins
Now, unlike last time where we had some subtractions today we only have additions to the list along with some normal movement in the list.
1. Alexander Wennberg-Columbus Blue Jackets (Last Rank 1)
Stats(as of 1/12/15)
30GP 1-4-5 -17 14PIM
I’m sure I’ll get some disagreement with this but I’m not sure Alexander has locked down a roster spot. I think as the Jackets get healthy, Alexander will be sent back to Springfield and receive top six minutes. As for next season Alexander will probably graduate from this list and lock down a roster spot preferably in the top six.
2. Anton Forsberg-Springfield Falcons(LR 5A)
Stats 23GP 18-4 1.85GAA .934Sv% 2SO
The Jackets top goalie prospect came over last season and had success that has continued this season. He’s currently one of the AHL’s top goalies and has already been named an all star. As we move on, I expect Anton to potentially be the Jackets backup next year unless the team decides that they’d rather have him playing in the AHL for another season.
3. Sonny Milano-Plymouth Whalers(LR 3)
Stats 22GP 10-25-35 -8 8PIM
Probably one of the Jackets more skilled prospects is now the Whalers’ leading scorer and has only gone more than one game this season without a point. Sonny already has 11 multi point games. He could play in the AHL at the end of Plymouth’s season and/or next season.
4. Oliver Bjorkstrand-Portland Winterhawks(LR 6)
Stats 31GP 25-23-48 +20 23PIM
The organization’s leading scorer picked right up where he left off last season. He’s among the league leaders in goals and points. The Winterhawks have improved since getting off to a rough start and Oliver has been leading the charge. Oliver, like many on this list, could head to Springield after the Hawks are out of the playoffs making his pro debut later this season and likely going pro next season.
5. Kerby Rychel-Springfield Falcons(LR 2)
Stats 34Gp 9-13-22 +5 32PIM
After getting off to a slow start, Kerby has turned it around and is one of the Falcons most consistent players. Kerby is currently tied for the AHL lead in game winning goals and could get another look with the Jackets this season. If not he’ll definitely get a look in camp next year, especially after being one of the last cuts this year.
6. Mike Reilly-Minnesota Golden Gophers(Big 10)
Stats 18GP 4-16-20 +8 27PIM
After deciding to not sign with the Jackets after his All American sophomore season, Mike is among the NCAA scoring leaders for defensemen. Mike has the potential to be the first two time All American on defense since Wisconsin’s Justin Schultz. After the Gophers’ season, Mike hopefully will sign with the Jackets and start his pro career in Springfield.
7. Marko Dano-Springfield Falcons(LR 4)
Stats 25GP 8-5-13 +1 13PIM
Marko was a surprise making the club out of camp and played a handful of games before being sent down. After going his first four games without a point, Marko has been very consistent. He’s never gone more than two games without a point since then. We could very well see Marko again this season; like many on this list, Marko will also get a look in camp next season.
8. Cody Goloubef-Columbus Blue Jackets(LR 9)
Stats 6GP 0-2-2 E 4PIM
Congrats, Cody, you may be the new David Savard on this list. I say this as I needed to ask a few people if they considered him a prospect. I kept him on here despite his one way deal because he’s only played 20 some games in the NHL but has never really looked out of place in any of them. Cody may be getting close to last chance time with the CBJ especially with the emergence of David Savard and Kevin Connauton. This could possibly lead to a trade more than likely for another player that needs a change of scenery.
9. Austin Madaisky-Springfield Falcons(LR NR)
Stats 39GP 11-20-31 +5 22PIM
The highest riser on this list and its well deserved as Austin has come out of nowhere to be the top scoring Dman in the AHL and will join Anton Forsberg in Utica, New York for the AHL All Star game. Austin will probably be back next year as depth possibly being one of the teams first call ups.
10. Josh Anderson-Springfield Falcons(LR 12)
Stats 36GP 4-7-11 +1 54PIM
Josh got off to a slow start as a pro before picking up six points in 11 games in December. Josh is one of the Jackets top power forward prospects and he’s not afraid to drop the gloves. He’s currently second on the Falcons in penalty minutes. Josh’s play has earned him his first callup just yesterday – meaning he could possibly be making his NHL debut soon.
11. Michael Chaput-Springfield Falcons(LR 8)
Stats 8GP 1-5-6 +4 0PIM
After Wennberg, Michael is the Jackets top defensive center prospect. He made the Jackets out of camp and scored his first NHL goal this season. Michael has been almost a point per game player in the AHL and is an injury away from being back with the CBJ. Michael will probably get another chance at being the team’s fourth line center again soon.
12. Peter Quenneville-Brandon Wheat Kings(LR 13)
Stats 43GP 10-28-38 E 16PIM
Of the three prospect captains the Jackets had at the start of the season, Peter is the only one still with his team(that probably has more to do with Brandon being one of the best teams in the dub). Peter is one of the Jackets smartest prospects and has one of the better shots. Peter is the highest unsigned CHL player but he should be off to Springfield to begin his pro career if signed.
13. Nick Moutrey-North Bay Battalion(LR NR)
Stats 38GP 16-27-43 +10 42PIM
Nick could be the Jackets most improved prospect – he’s already matched his career high this season. Nick was one of the Battalion’s big pickups at the trade deadline and quickly became the Troops leading scorer. Nick is another prospect looking for a contract so he chose the right season to have a breakout. The only negative to this season is the injury he suffered in his second game with the team.
14. Oscar Dansk-Springfield Falcons(LR 5B)
Stats 12GP 5-3-3 3.57GAA .878Sv%
The biggest drop of all the prospects in this ranking belongs to Oscar Dansk. It was expected that Oscar and Anton would battle for the starting role in net, but it didn’t take long to see the Falcons were Forsberg’s team. Oscar saw time in the ECHL and didn’t pick up a win in six starts (even though he didn’t get much goal support). I’m hoping Oscar will finish the season strong and come back better next year. Even if Anton Forsberg isn’t back he’ll be paired with a North American rookie as Joonas Korpisalo is expected to come over.
15. Dillon Heatherington-Swift Current Broncos(LR 11)
Stats 34GP 1-11-12 -9 36PIM
Dillon has had a drop in production this year but I believe that’s due to losing his D partner Julius Honka to the AHL. Dillon has still been the Broncos top dman and was part of Canada’s gold medal team at the most recent World Junior Championships. Dillon is the Jackets’ top defensive defenseman prospect and is another player needing a contract. Hopefully he will be signed and join Springfield at the end of the season.
16. Daniel Zaar-Lulea(LR 10)
Stats 37GP 6-13-19 -7 10PIM
Daniel is another sniper in the Jackets prospect pool but he has been playing setup man more with the Bears and is tied with a defenseman for the team lead in assists. Daniel is also one of the leading scorers in the Champions Hockey League. Daniel could end up like Marko Dano last year, meaning he could join the Falcons after the season but it is more likely he will join the baby Birds next season after signing his ELC before last season’s deadline.
17. Markus Soberg-Windsor Spitfires(LR 14)
Stats 35GP 9-11-20 -2 16PIM
Markus joined the Spitfires and it took some time for him to adjust to the North American sized ice, but since December, Markus has been very consistent and picked up points in nine of his last eleven games. Markus is eligible to return to the Spits next season but could make his pro debut. I believe the Jackets have extra time to sign him due to being drafted from Europe.
18. Joonas Korpisalo-Ilves(LR 18)
Season Stats 22GP 8-8-3 2.28GAA .922Sv%
Next man up or next European goalie up, I guess, as it’s expected that Joonas will come over and join the Falcons next season. As for this season, other than an injury early in the season Joonas has been the Lynxes starter all year and was among Liiga’s top goalies earlier in the season. He even had his own lego character available earlier in the season.
19. Blake Siebenaler-Niagara IceDogs(LR 17)
Stats 39GP 7-16-23 -4 17PIM
The pride of Ft Wayne, Indiana got off to a slow start along with the rest of the IceDogs but as the team has improved/got healthy so has Blake. He’s picked up points in 9 of his last 12 including his first hat trick in a game against Kitchener. Blake also runs one of the Dogs power play units and six of his eight points in this span have come with the man advantage. If Blake continues to play well the rest of this season I would expect him to rise up this list in our next update.
20. Elvis Merzlikins-HC Lugano(LR 19)
Stats 36GP 2.70GAA .913Sv%
Hoe can you not love a goalie named Elvis? To start the season Elvis and his goalie partner seemed to be alternating every two starts but it seems lately that Elvis has been relegated to the backup position after a rough stretch. If you wanted to rank the Jackets goalie prospects, Elvis would be fourth but he’s also the one the Jackets have the longest to evaluate.
There you have it folks – my semi-annual take on the Jackets top 20 prospects. My next update to this list should be coming your way immediately following the NHL Draft.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
