Hischier (6-1, 176) was 10th in the QMJHL with 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists) in 57 games and was named rookie of the year and best pro prospect in the league. What has scouts excited about Hischier is his exceptional hockey sense and ability as well as his willingness to throw a hit, dig for loose pucks and block shots.
Mittelstadt (6-1, 201) moved to No. 3 after being No. 5 on the midterm list. In addition to his high school team, he played with Green Bay in the United States Hockey League.
"He's been an impact player in both the United States Hockey League and Minnesota high school ranks this year," Marr said. "Mittelstadt possesses some elite skills and assets and the utilization of those to consistently impact and produce results in both these environments is quite impressive and a big reason why he has moved up in ranking."
Mittelstadt averaged 2.56 points per game with his high school team and was named Mr. Hockey as the best senior player in Minnesota. He had 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 24 USHL games, and led the league with 1.25 points per game.
"Watching Mittelstadt play at the USA Select 17 Camp two seasons ago, he was clearly the most dominant player and his potential was evident," said David Gregory of Central Scouting. "I hadn't seen this type of dominance at this time of the season since Alex Galchenyuk several years earlier."
Vilardi (6-3, 201) had 61 points (29 goals, 32 assists) in 49 OHL games. Rasmussen (6-6, 215) had 55 points (32 goals, 23 assists) in 50 WHL games prior to sustaining a season-ending wrist injury Feb. 1.
The highest-rated North American defenseman is right-shooting Cale Makar (5-11, 180) of Brooks in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Makar had 75 points (24 goals, 51 assists) in 54 games and was named the league's best defenseman and best player. He's No. 9 overall on the list.
The top North American goalie is Boston University freshman Jake Oettinger (6-4, 212), who was No. 3 in the midterm rankings. He led Hockey East with a 2.09 goals-against average in league games and became the ninth BU goaltender named to a Hockey East All-Star Team.
Keith Petruzzelli (6-5, 180) of Muskegon, who was No. 1 in the midterm ranking, is No. 2, followed by Ian Scott (6-3, 172) of Prince Albert (WHL).
Center Elias Pettersson (6-1, 165) of Timra in Sweden is No. 2 on Central Scouting's final ranking of international skaters, followed by center Lias Andersson (5-11, 198) of HV 71 (SWE), defenseman Miro Heiskanen (6-0, 183) of HIFK in Finland, and center Martin Necas (6-1, 180) of Brno in Czech Republic.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (6-4, 196) of HPK in Finland is the No. 1 international goaltender, followed by Olle Eriksson-Ek (6-2, 196) of Farjestad (SWE) and Adam Ahman (6-0, 165) of HV 71 (SWE).