2020 NHL Draft Positional Breakdown: Top Centers

ColoradoAvalanche.com is profiling some of the top 10 draft-eligible players at each position heading into 2020 NHL Draft, which will be held virtually this year on Oct. 6-7. This installment looks at the top centers that are available.
Highlighted by No. 2-ranked North American skater Quinton Byfield, the list of centers in this year's draft class is deep and features many skilled players from around the globe. Three of the expected top-10 centers spent the 2019-20 season playing in the Ontario Hockey League and two competed against men in Finland's Liiga.

Below are the top seven North American and top three international centers based on NHL Central Scouting's final lists of the best prospects for the 2020 NHL Draft. The Avalanche has the 25th overall selection in the first round of the draft.

Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

6-4, 215 lbs, Shoots Left, No. 2-Ranked North American Skater
Byfield, 18 (born Aug. 19, 2002), led the Sudbury Wolves with 82 points (32 goals, 50 assists) in 45 games this past season and had one assist in seven outings to help Team Canada win the gold medal at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. With Sudbury, Byfield's 1.82 points per game ranked tied for fifth among skaters in the league. In 2018-19, his first year in the OHL, the Newmarket, Ontario, native posted 61 points (29 goals, 32 assists) in 64 contests for the Wolves and was named the OHL and CHL Rookie of the Years. Byfield recorded three goals and added two assists to help Canada earn silver at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
NHL Central Scouting Report: "Powerful skater with breakaway speed. Excellent puck possession player with superior vision, creativity and playmaking ability. Heavy, accurate shot that can overpower goaltenders. Physically ready for the pro game. Works hard all over the ice with relentless play and never gives up on a puck. Plays in all situations and can take over a game at any time."

Anton Lundell, HIFK (Liiga)

6-1, 185 lbs, Shoots Left, No. 3-Ranked International Skater
Lundell, currently 18 (born Oct. 3, 2001), played against men the entire 2019-20 season with HIFK in Liiga, the Finnish Elite League. He recorded 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 44 contests. It marked his second campaign competing in the league after he notched 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 38 games with the team in 2018-19. The Espoo, Finland, native won gold with his country at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship and had one goal and three assists in seven contests at the tournament, including a helper on the game-winning goal in the Gold medal Game. Lundell also won a gold medal with Finland at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship after he had six points (two goals, four assists) in seven outings.
NHL Central Scouting Report: "Mature two-way center with a very good understanding of the game. Playmaker who makes smart decisions in all three zones. Reliable, solid team player who is trusted by coaches."

Cole Perfetti, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

5-10, 177 lbs, Shoots Left, No. 5-Ranked North American Skater
Perfetti, 18 (born Jan. 1, 2002), tallied 111 points (37 goals, 74 assists) in 61 games with the Saginaw Spirit this past season to finish the year second in OHL scoring. After the conclusion of the season, he was named to the OHL Second All-Star Team and was awarded the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year as the player who was best able to combine success on the ice with success in school. Perfetti's rookie campaign was in 2018-19 and he scored the most goals (37) and points (74) by a first-year skater in the OHL that season, earning a spot on the OHL First All-Rookie Team. The Whitby, Ontario, native led all skaters at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in five games to help Team Canada win silver.
NHL Central Scouting Report: "Puck skills, vision and execution are on another level. Has incredible hockey IQ and feel for the game. A major threat every time he is on the ice. Just as dangerous as a goal scorer or playmaker. Makes his teammates better."

Marco Rossi, Ottawa 67's (OHL)

5-9, 183 lbs, Shoots Left, No. 6-Ranked North American Skater
Rossi, 19 (born Sept. 23, 2001), posted 120 points (39 goals, 81 assists) with the Ottawa 67's in 2019-20, the most points of any player in the Canadian Hockey League (comprised of the OHL, QMJHL and WHL). The Feldkirch, Austria, native was named the OHL's Most Outstanding Player of the Year after the conclusion of the season, becoming the second European import player to win the award. Rossi also earned a spot on the OHL First All-Star Team after the season. He made the jump to play in North America for the 2018-19 campaign and recorded 65 points (29 goals, 36 assists) with Ottawa in his rookie year and was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team. Rossi can become the fifth Austrian-born player selected in the first round, joining Thomas Vanek (No. 5 in 2003), Michael Grabner (No. 14 in 2006), Andre Burakovsky (No. 23 in 2013) and Marko Dano (No. 27 in 2013).
NHL Central Scouting Report: "Highly-skilled offensive player. An excellent skater that plays at a high pace. High-end goal scoring and playmaking ability. Works hard in all three zones and plays a very determined, aggressive game. A huge asset on both special teams. Game-breaking ability."

Dawson Mercer, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

6-0, 180 lbs, Shoots Right, No. 10-Ranked North American Skater
Mercer, 18 (born Oct. 27, 2001), split last season between the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and finished the campaign with a total of 60 points (24 goals, 36 assists) in 42 games. He helped Team Canada win the gold medal at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, skating in seven outings at the tournament. He has completed three seasons in the QMJHL and has recorded 150 points (65 goals, 85 assists) in 171 contests in the league. The Carbonear, Newfoundland, native can become the seventh player born in Newfoundland to be selected in the first round of the NHL Draft and second in as many years after Colorado selected Alex Newhook with the No. 16 overall pick in 2019.
NHL Central Scouting Report:"Smart and skilled forward with a strong desire to make a difference every shift. Uses his speed and quickness to his advantage. Slippery and tough to contain. Plays in all situations--a responsible 200-foot player. Very good hockey sense."

Roni Hirvonen, Assat (Liiga)

5-9, 164 lbs, Shoots Left, No. 10-Ranked International Skater
Hirvonen, 18 (born Jan. 10, 2002), is coming off his first season against men in Finland where he recorded 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 52 games with Assat in Liiga, the Finnish Elite League. Prior to going pro, Hirvonen helped the Espoo Blues junior club earn the league's silver medal in 2018-19with 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists) in 50 regular-season games and 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 11 postseason contests. The Espoo, Finland, native represented his country at the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship and won a silver medal at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
NHL Central Scouting Report: "Smart forward with a really good understanding of the game. Makes good decisions. Playmaker who can play center or wing. Mobile player who handles the puck very well."

Seth Jarvis, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

5-10, 175 lbs, Shoots Right, No. 11-Ranked North American Skater
Jarvis, 18 (born Feb. 1, 2002), recorded 98 points (42 goals, 56 assists) in 58 games with the Portland Winterhawks this past year and finished the season ranked second in the Western Hockey League in points and third in goals. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native had multiple double-digit point streaks during the year, posting a 10-game run and an 11-game stretch. Jarvis was named to the WHL's First All-Star Team in the Western Conference and also won the league's Brad Hornung Trophy, which is awarded annually to the most sportsmanlike player in the WHL. Jarvis earned a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, notching two goals and two assists in five outings.
NHL Central Scouting Report:"Smart player that does everything at high speed. Elusive and creative with the puck. Can impact a game in all zones."

Dylan Holloway, University of Wisconsin (Big Ten)

6-0, 203 lbs, Shoots Left, No. 12-Ranked North American Skater
Holloway, 19 (born Sept. 23, 2001), completed in his freshman season at the University of Wisconsin this past year, recording17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 35 contests. Prior to making the jump to college hockey, Holloway played with the Okotoks Oilers in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He was named the league's Most Valuable Player in 2018-19 after ranking second in goals and points with 88 (40 goals, 48 assists) in 53 games. The Calgary, Alberta, native had a goal and two helpers in five contests and won the gold medal with Team Canada at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
NHL Central Scouting Report:"Power forward who can get to the net effectively. Very hard to contain with and without the puck. Will be physical to gain possession of the puck. High hockey IQ and great competitiveness."

Marat Khusnutdinov, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL)

5-11, 176 lbs, Shoots Left, No. 12-Ranked International Skater
Khusnutdinov, 18 (born July 17, 2002), recorded 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists) in 44 contests with SKA St. Petersburg's junior club in 2019-20 and skated in two playoff games with the team. Prior to last season, the Moscow, Russia, native captained Team Russia to a gold medal at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, posting three assists in five outings. He represented his country and won a gold medal at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, recording five points (two goals, three assists) in six games. Khusnutdinov also competed for Team Russia and had a goal and two assists in seven contests en route to winning a silver medal at the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship.
NHL Central Scouting Report: " Explosive two-way center. Flashy, skilled and an offensive threat on every shift. A leader and team player. Wins battles and plays with a lot of confidence."

Hendrix Lapierre, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

6-0, 179 lbs, Shoots Left, No. 13-Ranked North American Skater
Lapierre, 18 (born Feb. 9, 2002), was limited to 19 games this past season because of an upper-body injury and still registered 17 points (two goals, 15 assists) with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Prior to the campaign, the Gatineau, Quebec, native led all skaters with 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in five games to help Canada win silver at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. In his first season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2018-19, Lapierre won the Michel Bergeron Trophy as the QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year after posting 45 points (13 goals, 32 assists) in 48 games and was named to the All-Rookie Team.
NHL Central Scouting Report:"Great skater with powerful strides. Excellent puck skills and hockey IQ. Able to execute plays at high speed. Creates time and space with his puck skills and has the creativity to make plays. Strong two-way game. A complete player who brings a strong work ethic."