NHL Draft
“On The Rise” – 2013 NHL Draft Prospects
The most recent HockeyProspect.com Top 30 rankings were released for the 2013 NHL Draft and they feature a mix of fast-climbing stars and some new entries to the list.
Here’s a look at three potential 1st-round picks that are playing up to expectations early on in 2012/13.
Gustav Possler – Forward, Modo Jr, Sweden
Gustav Possler was not high on anyone’s prospect list a year ago, but a strong performance at the World Under-18 Championship has helped raise his stock. He scored 4 goals and 4 assists in 6 games, leading Sweden to a silver medal at the event.
In the latest HockeyProspect.com rankings, Possler is ranked 30th, and for good reason. He has a very high hockey IQ and great hands around the net.
“Possler is a pure goal scorer and has a deceptive release,” said Hockey Prospect scout Charles An. “He has the ability to find open areas in coverage that many players don’t have.”
Possler, who turns 18 on Remembrance Day, is continuing his point-per-game pace from last season. He has 9 goals and 7 assists through his first 12 games this year.
In 2011/12, he scored 40 points, including 23 goals, in 37 regular season games. He also played two games with the Modo men’s team, where he scored 1 goal.
“He still has some work to do in the defensive zone, but his offensive abilities cannot be ignored and can translate well in the NHL level,” added An.
Eric Comrie – Goaltender, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
When the Americans traded Ty Rimmer to Lethbridge in the summer, they had high expectations for the 17-year-old. Although he didn’t play in the post-season, he did have a successful regular season campaign, going 19-6-1-1 with three shutouts.
After a slow start this year, Comrie has shown he is more than capable of being a #1 backstop.
He was 1-3 with a 3.51 GAA & .895 SV% in September, but he’s making an early run for CHL goaltender of the month for October. In 6 games, he’s 5-0-0-1 with a 1.64 GAA & .944 SV%.
Nick Sorensen – Right Wing, Quebec Remparts
Sorensen is a top player but finds himself on a loaded Remparts team that features fellow prospects Adam Erne and Anthony Duclair, both of whom are ranked ahead him for the 2013 draft.
When you add in NHL picks Mikhail Grigorenko, Nikita Kucherov, Ryan Culkin, Logan Shaw & Francois Brassard, you can see how it’s easy for Sorensen to get lost in the shuffle.
Despite all that, he continues to put up impressive numbers early in the season. In the team’s first nine games, Sorensen has 4 goals, 7 assists and a +5 rating.
HockeyProspect.com sees him as a potential first round pick.