2020 Draft: Prospects with NHL fathers

Jake Sanderson appreciates all he has gotten from his father on and off the ice.

Sanderson (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) is a left-shot defenseman and captain of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team, and No. 4 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters for the 2020 NHL Draft. His father, Geoff Sanderson, scored 700 points (355 goals, 345 assists) in 1,104 NHL games during 17 seasons with eight teams and played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1994 and 1997.
Jake was born in 2002, when his father was playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and remembers spending time in the locker room when Geoff played for the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers before retiring in 2008.
"He tried to coach me every season when I was younger but sometimes he couldn't," Jake said. "I would say he was hands-on when I was younger but now since I'm away from home he's more hands-off. He still texts me and we still talk about games and how everything's going. For advice, I think he just lets me figure it out for myself."

That hands-off approach has helped the 17-year-old emerge as one of the top defensemen available in the 2020 NHL Draft. He scored 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists) in 47 games and was the NTDP captain.
"He's our guy, he's our rock, he drives our team, he's our captain, he's our best player and he plays the game the right way," NTDP coach Seth Appert said.
Appert said he believes having a father who played so long in the NHL only has been a help to Sanderson.
"Geoff played 1,100 games in the NHL without being a superstar," Appert said. "That's not easy to do. Superstars can play 1,100 games in the NHL without having to do everything the right way. When you're more of a secondary offensive guy like Geoff Sanderson was, to play 1,100 games you're doing things the right way, you're taking care of your body, you're a good teammate, you're playing both sides of the puck.
"All the things that got passed down to his son. ... The habits and the details to your game and how you live your life, those are things that are more learned, and Jake has learned those things from his dad."
As we celebrate Father's Day, here are a few other 2020 draft prospects whose father -- or in one case grandfather -- has an NHL connection:
Ridly Greig, C, Brandon (WHL) --The right-shot center (5-11, 163) scored 60 points (26 goals, 34 assists) in 56 games and is No. 14 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters.
His father, Mark Greig, was a forward who scored 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists) in 125 games during nine NHL seasons with four teams and is an amateur scout with the Philadelphia Flyers.
"Growing up, my dad's had a huge impact on my game with tips and tricks and showing me clips of me, just teaching me how the game should be played," the 17-year-old said. "Sometimes I'll be feeling down after a game and he'll call me and pick me up. He pretty much knows everything from the game so I'm always listening when he speaks."
Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia (OHL) --Perreault (5-11, 192) scored 70 points (39 goals, 31 assists) in 57 OHL games and is No. 17 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters.
The 18-year-old's father, Yanic Perreault, was a forward who scored 516 points (247 goals, 269 assists) in 859 NHL games during 14 seasons with six teams.

Brendan Brisson, C, Chicago (USHL) -- Brisson (5-10, 179) was second in the United States Hockey League with 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 45 games this season. The 18-year-old is No. 20 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters and is committed to the University of Michigan next season.
His father, Pat Brisson, is an agent with CAA Hockey. Among his clients are Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon.
Thomas Bordeleau, C, USA U-18 (NTDP) -- Bordeleau (5-9, 175), who led the NTDP with 46 points (16 goals, 30 assists) in 47 games and is No. 29 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters, is trying to become the third generation of his family to play in the NHL.
His grandfather, Paulin Bordeleau, was a right wing who scored 89 points (33 goals, 56 assists) in 183 NHL games in three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. His father, Sebastien Bordeleau, was a forward who scored 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) in 251 NHL games during seven seasons with four teams and now is forward development coach for the Nashville Predators.
The 18-year-old is committed to the University of Michigan next season.
Jack Finley, C, Spokane (WHL) --Finley (6-6, 213) scored 57 points (19 goals, 38 assists) in 61 WHL games. The 17-year-old is No. 38 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters.
His father, Jeff Finley, was a defenseman who scored 83 points (13 goals, 70 assists) in 708 NHL games through 15 seasons with six teams and is an amateur scout for the Winnipeg Jets.
Michael Benning, D, Sherwood Park (AJHL) -- Benning (5-9, 177) led Alberta Junior Hockey League defensemen with 75 points (12 goals, 63 assists) in 54 games. The 18-year-old is No. 57 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters and is committed to the University of Denver next season.
His father, Brian Benning, was a defenseman who scored 296 points (63 goals, 233 assists) in 568 NHL games in 10 seasons with five teams. His uncle, Jim Benning, is general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.
Ryder Rolston, RW, Waterloo (USHL) -- Rolston (6-1, 175) had 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists) in 42 games and is No. 102 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters. The 18-year-old is committed to North Dakota University next season.
His father, Brian Rolston, scored 761 points (342 goals, 419 assists) in 1,256 NHL games during NHL seasons with five teams, and won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils as a rookie in 1994-95. His uncle, Ron Rolston, coached the Buffalo Sabres in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
---
Listen: New episode of NHL Draft Class