I recently attended the World U-17 Challenge in Langley and Delta, B.C., where the 2006 age group was showcased. It is still way, way too early for a lot of these prospects in terms of discussing where they may fit in a draft. But that’s never stopped us before.
Today I will focus on the clear top group of players whom I’ve identified for the 2024 NHL Draft. These are only the players I’ve seen so far this season, so this isn’t a complete look at the upcoming draft classes — I don’t know the Russian ’06s well, for example, and some top players were injured or unavailable for the World U-17 Challenge so I haven’t seen them yet. One early theme is that after the 2005 age group looked light on defensemen, the 2006 group seems to have a lot more at that position.
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1. Macklin Celebrini, C, Chicago-USHL
Celebrini is the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft as it stands right now. He’s an electric offensive player with high-end skill and creativity with the puck and can make a lot of difficult plays with good pace. He has the outstanding scoring ability, but given his average frame I love how hard Celebrini works on the ice to go with his offensive talent. He looks like a guy who has separated from the pack for next year’s draft as it stands right now.
2. Artyom Levshunov, RHD, Green Bay-USHL
Levshunov has looked very impressive in the USHL to start this season. He’s a player with all the traits you want in a top-flight defense prospect. He’s highly skilled, can make plays, he’s mobile and has good length. I don’t view him as an elite-at-one-end-of-the-rink type of defenseman; the offense is very good but not amazing, and his defending needs some sharpening, but he has a ton of pro potential to be a top-flight defender in the NHL.
3. Cole Eiserman, LW, USNTDP-USHL
Eiserman has been scoring at an incredible level to start his first USNTDP season. His pure skill level is elite, showing game-breaking one-on-one abilities to go alongside a great shot. That combo lets him be so dangerous despite not being the biggest winger. He’s a strong skater, but his skill is what drives his game.
4. Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA-MHL
Demidov has been putting up huge numbers in Russia’s top junior league this season. He’s a player with special skill who at any moment can beat defensemen one-on-one to create a scoring chance. He combines this with a high-end motor, showing a type of relentlessness you love from a 5-foot-11 winger, and he doesn’t shy from playing in traffic. He has all the offensive touch you want, but Demidov lacks NHL speed and has an awkward-looking skating stride that will be tested at higher levels.
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5. Berkly Catton, C, Spokane-WHL
Catton is a notch or two below Celebrini in terms of pure offensive talent, but there are a lot of similarities between the two of them in terms of their size, skating and compete level. Catton can be a dynamic offensive playmaker in his own right and can be a high-end driver at even strength despite not being that physically imposing.
6. Sam Dickinson, LHD, London-OHL
Dickinson has been off to a strong start in London. He has a lot of NHL traits due to his 6-3 frame, strong skating ability and some offensive touch. Dickinson is very skilled with the puck, but I wouldn’t call him a natural puck-mover. Defensively he’s quite solid due to his reach, feet and compete. He has a lot of NHL potential.
7. Charlie Elick, RHD, Brandon-WHL
Elick’s physical tools jump out at you as a 6-3 defenseman with pro mobility. He’s not a top-end puck-mover, but he has good hockey sense. He competes hard, isn’t afraid to use his big frame and makes a lot of defensive stops. It’s easy to think about Braden Schneider while watching Elick due to his similar junior team and handedness, but I would argue he’s ahead of Schneider at the same age.
8. Aron Kiviharju, LHD, TPS-Finland
Kiviharju has been an excellent player at the junior level in Finland and has been great in U18 international play (he was a top player for Finland’s U18 team as a 15-year-old). Kiviharju has outstanding hockey sense and can make a ton of difficult offensive plays. He’s a strong skater, although for a 5-9 defenseman, I wouldn’t call it elite small-guy skating. That, and particularly his frame, will be the biggest debate on him, as there aren’t many 5-9 defensemen in the NHL, but he has a very good chance to be the next one.
9. Henry Mews, RHD, Ottawa-OHL
Mews is a solid all-around defenseman. He’s a good skater who competes hard, which allows him to be a good defender despite average size. He’s not a flashy offensive type, but he’s very smart with the puck and can make plays from the point.
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10. Will Skahan, LHD, USNTDP-USHL
Skahan is a highly intriguing defenseman. He skates quite well for a 6-4 blueliner. His offensive touch isn’t top-end, but he can make strong outlets and projects to have secondary offense as a pro. The length, feet and physicality combined with that secondary offense gives him a lot to work with.
11. Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow-MHL
Chernyshov is a toolsy winger. He skates well, has a good-sized frame and has excellent hands. He plays a direct north/south style, which will translate well to the pros although he does have some playmaking in his game.
2025 NHL Draft Eligible List
What follows is a look at the top late-2006 birthdates I’ve seen so far this season and Michael Misa, who is playing junior as a 2007-born. I haven’t seen any 2007s other than Misa.
1. James Hagens, C, USNTDP-USHL
Very, very early on, Hagens looks on a level above the field for the 2025 NHL Draft. He’s a dynamic forward. He’s an excellent skater with dangerous speed and edge work. He has outstanding individual skill and playmaking ability and all those attributes lead to him being able to break open a shift at any given point. His only drawback is his 5-foot-10 frame but everything else about him points to NHL stardom.
2. Michael Misa, LW, Saginaw-OHL
Misa was granted exceptional status to play in the OHL as a 15-year-old and has been off to a great start with Saginaw. He’s an excellent skater with a ton of skill and offensive creativity. He has the ability to make a lot of difficult plays at fast pace, which makes him a great pro prospect despite only being 5-11.
3. Roger McQueen, C, Brandon-WHL
McQueen hasn’t been overly productive yet in the WHL, but there’s no doubt he’s a top-tier pro prospect. He’s a 6-5, right-shot center who skates well and has very good offensive skills. I’d like to see him be more consistent and it will be something to monitor over the next two years, but he’s a player full of potential.
4. Logan Hensler, LHD, USNTDP-USHL
Hensler has a long way to go in his development, but 6-5 defensemen who can skate and move the puck are a rarity. In time he has the ability to be a true upper-echelon pro.
5. Porter Martone, RW, Sarnia-OHL
Martone is an easy player to imagine becoming a good NHL player. He’s a big winger who skates well, has very good puck skills and good enough vision to make plays at higher levels. He has a direct style of play that will translate well to the pros.
6. Gabriel D’Aigle, G, Victoriaville-QMJHL
D’Aigle has looked very impressive for a 15-year-old in the QMJHL. From the same region of the province as Marc-André Fleury, D’Aigle has the athleticism, sense and size to be a highly intriguing pro prospect and will be on the radar for years to come.
(Photo of Macklin Celebrini: Matthew Murnaghan / Hockey Canada Images)