NASHVILLE (The Draft Analyst) — One of the most prestigious high school competitions in the nation kicks off on Wednesday when the State of Hockey lives up to its billing as the epicenter of all sports played on a sheet of ice. Yes, it’s time once again for Minnesota’s annual Boys’ Hockey State Tournament — a 16-team, single-elimination event that produces two state champions and all kinds of memories for players and fans alike.
A critical period of hockey for most of the world’s premier draft-eligible prospects is over, which means it’s time to update my rankings from early January.
An end-to-end puck rusher with size and top-pairing potential, Joni Jurmo is steadily becoming one of the most impressive European defensemen for the 2020 NHL draft
An explosive 200-foot center with a loaded arsenal of moves and trickery, SKA-1946 pivot Marat Khusnutdinov plays an exciting brand of hockey reminiscent of the old Red Army squads from the 1970s and 1980s.
The WHL’s most excitable draft prospect since Mathew Barzal is putting up video game numbers in one of the toughest junior leagues to score in.
The Swedes are notorious for providing the NHL draft with Europe’s deepest pool of talent. Take a look into which prospects are considered favorites for selection in the early rounds.
The top American-born defenseman for the 2020 draft and possibly the first one to be selected after Jamie Drysdale, Sanderson is the straw that stirs the drink for this year’s NTDP.
One of the most competitive in-season tournaments for the draft year is the under-18 Five Nations that takes place every February. This year’s event featured dozens of top prospects earmarked for the early rounds of the NHL draft.
One of the top prospects from Finland for the 2020 NHL Draft, left wing Roby Jarventie is a hard-shooting scorer who has played on the top line for KooVee in the adult-age Mestis league. He’s also played for Finland at mutliple international events and should participate at the April under-18 world championship in Plymouth, Mich.