Prepare for the 2017 NHL Draft with profiles on some of the top prospects from Alberta
ByPaul Gazzola
EdmontonOilers.com
Calahoo, Edmonton to Calgary, the prospects from Alberta are prevalent. Get to know the top Albertan recruits for the 2017 NHL Draft below.
D Ian Mitchell, Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) Born: Calahoo, AB Shoots:Right CSS Rank:35 Spruce Grove Saints defender Ian Mitchell is known to use his on-ice intelligence best to his advantage. As a result, it's earned him a commitment to the University of Denver - who just won a national title - and a high Draft ranking.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"You often find guys who can skate it out of trouble but struggle to pass it or vice versa. This guy does both very well." - The Hockey News D Cale Makar, Brooks Bandits (AJHL) Born: Calgary, AB Shoots: Right CSS Rank: 9 There's a reason why Brooks Bandits defenceman Cale Makar jumped to the top 10 of the NHL's Central Scouting. Born in Calgary, AB, the rearguard was the Canadian Junior Hockey League's Most Valuable Player with 75 points in 54 games and could be the first defenceman chosen at the 2017 NHL Draft.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"I'd be shocked if he didn't go top 10. He has a bit of a mean streak. He's 5-foot-10 but doesn't play that way." - The Hockey News G Ian Scott, Prince Albert Raiders Born: Calgary, AB Catches:Left CSS Rank:3 (Among North American Goalies) Take shots to make stops. Right? Prince Albert Raiders goaltender Ian Scott is learning by example in the Western Hockey League, facing 1554 shots and saving 1391 of them. Heavily relied upon by the Raiders, Scott is tabbed as third among North American Goalies by NHL Central Scouting.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"A goaltender who balances challenging opposing shooters and when to drop back into his crease and hold the fort…cool when handling shots to the glove hand, keeping the glove angled according to net position and the situation in front." - Future Considerations C Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Spokane Chiefs (WHL) Born: Calgary, AB Shoots: Left CSS Rank: 21 Certified as a speedy and skilled hard worker, it's only up for centre Jaret Anderson-Dolan. Teamed with Chiefs winger Kailer Yamamoto, Anderson-Dolan was able to put up 76 points in 72 games in the 2016-17 season.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"He'll really shine next year, and his offence will take another step." - The Hockey News C Mason Shaw, Medicine Hat Tigers Born: Wainwright, AB Shoots: Left CSS Rank: 55 Hailing from Wainwright, AB, centre Mason Shaw filed an impressive 94 points in the 2016-17 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Sixty-seven of those 94 points were assists, leaving many to believe Shaw's best attribute is his passing - alongside his relentless work ethic.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"A little ball of energy who does not mind getting his nose dirty. Possesses quick feet and the right hard-working attitude. Always moving his feet and outworking the opposition, and is relentless in his puck pursuing." - Future Considerations G Stuart Skinner, Lethbridge Hurricanes Born: Edmonton, AB Catches: Left CSS Rank:5 (Among North American Goalies) The bigger, the better - and with his 6-foot-3 frame - goaltender Stuart Skinner is promising. Skinner registered 34 wins with the Lethbridge Hurricanes this past campaign, to go with a 3.26 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"A large and agile keeper with refined skills…uses his lower half extremely well, expanding his legs in the butterfly to seal off the whole lower half of the net…his size doesn't hamper his speed as he remains agile and in control in his movements." - Future Considerations
