Final Media/Scout Top 10 for the 2020 NHL Draft

The NHL draft remains in limbo as an exact date is not yet known. However, it will occur sometime, and as such we're concluding our yearly media/scout poll.

For comparison's sake, here are the preliminary (from November) and the midseason (from February) consensus lists.

Preliminary List 

Midseason List

It's always interesting to note some of the major changes/trends from the beginning of the year to the end. Interestingly enough, the names inside the top 4 haven't changed all year, a testament to their talent level and consistency. The biggest riser is obviously Jack Quinn, who moved from an HM in November to the #5 player now (and a likely top 15 selection). Tyson Foerster is also a big riser over the year, moving from the HM's to firmly inside the top 10 on this list. The biggest faller is unquestionably Antonio Stranges. He was 6^th in November and now doesn't even receive a single vote on the final list. Jaromir Pytlik and Jean-Luc Foudy also saw a significant decrease.

Thankfully, for those who cover the OHL, this year's crop from the league is substantially better than last year's. It is likely that the top 5 players on this list are taken inside the Top 15. And the OHL could have upwards of 10-12 players taken in the first 40-45 picks. At this point, it looks like one of the best groups from the OHL in this millennium.

As always, it's important to note the contributors, as without them and their terrific insight, this article does not exist. For the final list, the following helped out: 

Corey Pronman - NHL Prospects Writer for TheAthletic (@coreypronman)
Dominic Tiano - Writer for The OHL Writers (@dominictiano)
Dylan Galloway – Head of Eastern Scouting for Future Considerations (@dylangalloway_)
Mike Morreale - Staff writer for NHL.com (@mikemorrealeNHL)
Ryan Kennedy - Associate Senior Writer for The Hockey News(@THNRyanKennedy)

Scott Wheeler - NHL Prospects Writer for TheAthletic (@scottcwheeler)

Cam Robinson - Managing Editor for Dobber Prospects & Director of Film Scouting for EP Rinkside (@Hockey_Robinson)

Steve Kournianos - Founder of The Draft Analyst(@TheDraftAnalyst)  

Steve Clark - Play by play voice of the Niagara IceDogs (@ClarkPlaybyPlay)  

Dan Stewart - Director of DraftsProspects Hockey (@DStewartDP) 

Will Scouch – Founder of Scouching Draft Analytics & Contributor to McKeen's Hockey (@Scouching)

Tony Ferrari – OHL Scout for Future Considerations and Director of North American Scouting for Dobber Prospects (@theTonyFerrari)

Mark Seidel - Scouting Director for NACS Hockey (@MarkSeidel)
Chris Peters - NHL Prospects Writer for ESPN (@chrismpeters)

Matt Young - OHL broadcaster (@mattyoung71) 

Josh Bell – Writer/Scout for The Hockey Writers and for Future Considerations (@JoshuaBellTHW)

Jordan Henry – Videos for the Ontario Hockey League (@Jor_Henry)

Michael Fenton – CHL Producer for Sportsnet and ISO Director (@MFents)

Tate Harris – Host of 'The O Show' Podcast (@tateharris9)

Tony Ambrogio - PA Announcer for the Mississauga Steelheads (@Tony_Ambrogio)

Steven Ellis – Former Digital Content Creator for The Hockey News, Provides OHL Related Content at http://stevenpellis.com/ (@StevenEllisNHL)

Mitch Brown – CHL Tracker and Scouting for TheAthletic & for EP Rinkside (@MitchLBrown)

Raine Hernandez - OHL coverage for OHLNetwork & social media/scout for the Oakville Blades (OJHL) (@BringerofRaine)

Levi Hill – CCHL Scout & Former OHL Video Tracker (@HillHockeyScout)

Kenny Walls – Voice of the Ottawa 67's on TSN 1200 (@LongBallsWalls)

Peter Kneulman - Provides OHL coverage at OHL Writer (@PeterKneulman)

Mark Scheig - OHL writer for The Hockey Writers (@THWMark)

Grant McCagg - President of Recrutes Hockey (@grantmccagg)

and of course...myself (@BrockOtten)

Here's the List:

1. Quinton Byfield – Center/Left Wing – Sudbury Wolves

Total Votes: 29

Highest Ranking: 1^st (28x)

Lowest Ranking: 2^nd (1x)

Comments:

“I’ve been pretty vocal that I think Byfield is a lock as the number two in this draft class. I’d even argue that he’s in the same tier as Alexis Lafrenière. He just does it all. He’s skilled, his vision is incredible, and he’s a great skater. For a player of his size, his hands, skating and play at both ends being as good as they are is exactly what you’d want in a 1C. I think by this time next season, there will be no question that he’s the second-best player in this draft class.” - Josh Bell

“I truly believe you don’t understand how good this kid is unless you see him in person. But the first time I saw him play this year it was on the back-end of a 3 and 3 and he had no gas in the tank. He scored one goal but it was the only thing he did that afternoon and left a bad taste in my mouth. Of course, I watched him online a ton and highlights and you just drool. But then I was finally able to sit down with him and hone in who he really is like as a person before the Canada Russia Series. First thing that jumps out at you is his size, you just think, man when this kid puts on weight he is going to be a monster on the ice. Secondly, you see a kid who is trying to figure out how to be Quinton Byfield. There’s so much more room for growth. It changed my mind, then I got to watch him in ISO cam, he was our Kubota Top Prospect player that first game, the pack had everything from back checks, to stick lifts, elite passes aka he goes out in those games and was one of the better players on the ice. In the end I really think whoever gets him should send him back to junior, let him win, let him experience the World Juniors a la Alexis Lafreniere, let him sniff 100 points, then when he’s that much older bring him into the fold. He’s so raw, everything just needs time to develop, but he’s my number 2 without a doubt.” - Michael Fenton

“The combination of size and strength is just too good to ignore. He'll be able to learn how to take advantage of that at the next level, for sure. His work habits are great and he plays a solid 200-foot game.  You know he's got playmaking ability and goal-scoring ability that is high end. He's a dynamic skater and has that pull-away gear. He plays down the middle, and a player of this caliber at center is a rare find and odds are he'll continue to grow and gain strength.” - Mike Morreale

“No surprise but he should be the first OHL player selected. Reminds me of Eric Staal/Rick Nash. A naturally gifted athlete who will dominate for a decade or so.” - Tony Ambrogio

“While he may not enter the NHL straight away, he’s got all the tools that are going to make him a special NHL centre for a very long time. I wanted to see him use his size a bit more to his advantage and get a bit meaner, but he was able to score and make plays essentially at will without that aspect at the OHL level.” - Dylan Galloway

“A physical specimen who blends exceptional power to a speed-driven, skill game. His quick hands allow him to maneuver in tight spaces, while the long reach propels his puck-protection. Very fluid. Highly productive. The physical element of his game hasn’t even popped yet. Will need some more seasoning.” - Cam Robinson

“I think it is really important to remember that you are drafting Byfield for the player that he is going to be and not the player that he is currently. People crap on him for that World Juniors performance, but those same people forget how indifferent Lafreniere looked the year prior (or how other 17 year olds looked for Canada at the event). I won't lie, his second half wasn't as good as his first. He looked fatigued or injured at times, failing to fend off checks as well down low. I also think he needs to make better decisions with the puck when operating in transition, as he has a tendency to skate himself out of passing options simply because he doesn't want to shoot. Additionally, we all know that he needs to use his size to play through the middle more consistently. However, the skill package is complete and once he realizes how good he can be, I don't know if there is a limit to what he can achieve as a player. It would be a mistake to have him in the NHL next year, though.” - Brock Otten

“A big body who uses his length and reach well but without fully using his dominant physical abilities. Lacks the meanness to devastate opponents with heavy checks or just throw guys off the puck that a guy like Lindros had. That is the one area of his game he could have developed this season to possibly push Lafreniere for top honors in the draft. A big skilled guy who skates well and brings the nasty, how many NHL teams would have been able to pass that up? Still with all his skill and physical tools the sky is still the limit for this talented kid.” - Dan Stewart

“I’ll go ahead and say it: Byfield may not be the best player “right now” among the top four from the OHL, but he has the highest upside. The combination of size, skating, vision, creativity, scoring, playmaking, puck protection and hockey sense – well not a lot of players have all those tools, but Byfield does. What separates Byfield from the other “big 4” is that he is still developing at the OHL level and dominated, whereas the other 3 have pretty much done all their OHL development, and he is the youngest of the foursome. Too much has been made about his World Junior’s performance, but one must remember, he was there in the same way Alexis Lafreniere was in 2019.” - Dominic Tiano

2. Jamie Drysdale – Defense – Erie Otters

Total Votes: 29

Highest Ranking: 2^nd (14x)

Lowest Ranking: 5^th (1x)

Comments:

“From start to finish, easily the best defenceman available and it’s not even close. Elite skater, elite hockey sense, a one-man breakout machine and he plays with a boat load of confidence. It’s been quite sometime since we’ve seen a defenceman control the offensive blue line like Drysdale does. He has superb vision and playmaking abilities and he gets pucks through to the net. I think his defensive game is underrated. He's very good at using his skating to keep the opposition wide and is excellent with his stick at defending. He’s also a right shot defenceman – something some NHL teams are almost always looking for.” - Dominic Tiano

“The only thing holding Drysdale back from the NHL next season is that he's a little undersized. But everything else is there. Once he gets bigger and stronger, he's going to anchor someone's blue line for over a decade. Not only is he talented, he's one of the good guys in hockey. You get the entire package with Drysdale and that makes him one of the safest picks available at the top of the draft.” - Mark Scheig

“As the season abruptly ended, I was all-in on Drysdale and could see him going as high as third overall, depending on what the NHL decides to do with the draft lottery.  The thing with Drysdale is that he is just such an intelligent player and despite the size being less than what one may want, he’s just too good to make that matter.  He has found a way to excel as a rookie in the OHL and played his way into a significant role on Team Canada’s defence at 17 years old.  He will likely play in the NHL at 19 so you won’t have to wait long given how Drysdale thinks the game in such an advanced manner.” - Matt Young

“Top-level, two-way defensemen aren’t in high quantity this year, but Drysdale is the best of the bunch. He can out-skate most kids in the OHL and has been a leader on every team he's ever skated for. Drysdale proved at the World Junior Championship that he can handle pressure and stop the game's top young stars. If he doesn't make an immediate jump to the NHL, and there's no reason to rush him, he's going to be an MVP candidate in the OHL in 2020-21. Need a comparable? Try Dan Boyle.” - Steven Ellis

“There have certainly been some defenders to come through the OHL who possess (or possessed) the skating ability of Drysdale. It's elite, but it does not make him unique. What makes him unique is the combination of elite mobility and elite vision and decision making. He makes quick decisions from a stand still or while in full stride and when he does not like what he sees, he uses his mobility to create more time and space. His breakout pass may be the best of any defender in this millennium. People question his ability to defend below and between the hash marks, however with his quickness and anticipation, teams rarely have an opportunity to pin him deep and make him defend in those areas. When he is forced to defend, his gap control is usually terrific and so is his stick. He may not be big, but he is so difficult to manoeuvre around. Honestly, I think the world of Drysdale and he's the best defender to come through the OHL in many years.” - Brock Otten

“He will be in the running to be the first defenceman selected, and it’s by no means a lock that either he or Sanderson gets chosen first - it may even depend somewhat on a team’s need. If they need a point producer that can help get a power play to the next level, Drysdale may well go first. If a club is looking for a shutdown, all-around defender, Sanderson will likely get the nod. I think he will go somewhere in the top six – too many of the bottom feeders are in need of a top-pairing guy to pass on him.” - Grant McCagg

“Drysdale’s a near-complete package. His offensive profile in my tracked data is virtually identical to Bowen Byram – despite being a year younger. Once he gets in the rush, he fills the role of a forward better than most of his teammates. And while he could hunt the break up a bit more while defending the rush, he closes his gaps and suffocates the offence. But for a player with his mobility and vision, he’s shockingly passive at times. He rips around the point, but regularly settles for a shot from the boards rather than working towards the middle. Too often, he settles for a dump-out or pass up the boards when a rush or pass up the inside is available with minimal risk. Statistically, he scores in the 75^th percentile among CHL defenders in Controlled Exit Percentage, which measures how often a player opts for a pass or carry rather than a dump-out while pressured by the opposition. It’s a fine result, but far from impressive. The tools are all there: the skating, the accurate passing into space, and the patience and vision to find teammates through layers. It’s fair to expect a bit more in transition, but I see that as untapped upside.” - Mitch Brown

“An elite skater and while not the biggest, has a tremendous mind for the game that makes him the best defenceman in this draft class.” - Raine Hernandez

“I know Jake Sanderson deservedly entered the conversation to challenge for top defenseman in the 2020 draft, but Drysdale has always been my top defense prospect. He’s an automatic breakout with incredible puck skills, but Drysdale also carried the Erie offense thanks to speed, agility, playmaking, and blistering wrist shot. He’s a silent assassin when it comes to his drive and competitiveness, and you can tell by the confidence and quickness in his decision making that he wants nothing more than to slice through all three zones like a hot knife through butter. Take Lafreniere out of the equation and Drysdale’s name gets tossed around for first overall.” - Steve Kournianos

3. Marco Rossi – Center – Ottawa 67's

Total Votes: 29

Highest Ranking: 1^st (1x)

Lowest Ranking: 5^th (1x)

Comments:

“When it comes to Rossi, there is only one question: His size and whether he can handle the rigors of an NHL centerman. He’s an elite 200-foot pivot, probably the best in the draft class. He’s also an elite faceoff guy, playmaker and can score with the best of them. It’s true the NHL is a different monster, but I dare say if he were 4 inches taller, he’d be pushing Byfield for top spot. The good thing is that if he doesn’t make it as a pivot in the NHL, his game easily translates to wing. It’ll be interesting to see if Rossi is drafted where he should go or whether the NHL bias towards size and skating will make him drop.” - Dominic Tiano

“The best and most consistent player in the OHL this year. He was my vote for OHL's Red Tilson and really should win CHL MVP over Lafreniere but Alexis will win. Regardless, I could watch this Marco buzz around the ice forever, skill, vision, insane IQ, and can shoot the puck as well. Marco Rossi is a dream player to watch in ISO cam because he does so many little things you might miss, most notably his ability to anticipate the play, where his linemates are going to be and where he needs to be, you see it almost every single shift. Rossi was the straw that stirred the drink in Ottawa and I think that he should be a top 5 pick all day long.” - Michael Fenton

“I adore Marco Rossi’s game. The more you watch, the more you love. He’s just so smart out on the ice, pulling tricks out of his bag whenever necessary, but not constantly showing himself off. He just gets the job that needs to be done, done. He’s selfless with the puck, and could’ve surpassed 140 points at his scoring pace by the end of the season. He finds ways to get the puck in the net constantly, and his work ethic and on-ice determination when he’s fully engaged leads me to believe that he’ll have no problem becoming an excellent NHL centre, regardless of his size limitations.” - Will Scouch

“One NHL team scout told me that he believed Rossi is the most NHL-ready player in the OHL cohort. High praise, but the results back it up. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in spectacular skill and the ability to think and play at a high pace.” - Ryan Kennedy

“Marco's the most complete forward in the draft. After Alexis, he's the most NHL-ready one too. Even if he doesn't put up the kind of numbers that Byfield or Perfetti eventually do, he may become the best player of this OHL class.” - Anonymous

“Rossi is one of the most responsible players in this draft in the defensive end and one of the most dangerous players on the offensive end. Rossi shows an incredible level of intelligence all over the ice, seemingly playing the game a step ahead of the rest of the competition at times. He is on the shorter side (5’9”) but he is stalky and sturdy. He has impressive lower body strength and doesn’t get knocked off the puck very often. His IQ and skillset should allow him to stick at center long-term, allowing him to slot in as a teams number one center in a few seasons.” - Tony Ferrari

“Watching Rossi develop and progress over the course of his 2 seasons with the 67’s was amazing.  He came into the OHL as an incredibly talented player and just continued to improve. Everybody saw what he did on the ice during games, leading the league in scoring, winning the Red Tilson Award, but to watch him in practice is something special.  He pushes the pace, forces everyone around him to be better, his compete level at everything he does is off the charts.  Again, James Boyd compared Rossi’s game to Patrice Bergeron, I also see a lot of Pavel Datsyuk is his game.” - Kenny Walls

“This kid was hard for me to like at first when I watched him in 2018-19 due to his perceived size but his play kept pushing him higher and higher up my draft list as time went on. His ability to overcome his lack of size, height wise anyways, overpowering guys much bigger than he, being a beast on the wall with extra human lower body strength and balance, plus his vision, work ethic and smarts were all the proof I need to project him as a top six two-way NHL performer in just a season or two.” - Dan Stewart

“Had an incredible offensive year but his most outstanding trait might be how hard he plays. Smaller in stature but he is fearless & will go into traffic and to the net. Might actually be better with better Players do to his phenomenal distribution skills.” - Mark Seidel

4. Cole Perfetti – Left Wing/Center – Saginaw Spirit

Total Votes: 29

Highest Ranking: 2^nd (5x)

Lowest Ranking: 4^th (15x)

Comments:

“I feel like if you could read the mind of any NHL Draft prospect from the OHL I’d love to get inside the mind of Cole Perfetti when he has the puck on his stick transitioning from the neutral to the offensive zone. It’s no surprise that he won the OHL’s Bobby Smith Trophy for Scholastic Player of the Year as he’s an incredibly smart kid with Hockey IQ off the charts. He scored 37 times in his Rookie season and scored big goals for Canada at the Hlinka Tournament last summer everyone thought he was a goalscorer before starting off the OHL Season this year with 26 assists and 6 goals in his first 19 games showing he’s a full package of shooting and distributing.” - Jordan Henry

“People are concerned with his skating, but frankly I’m not one of these people. I’m a believer in a player’s overall talents being a series of “what can you do, and is that part of the game good enough to outweigh your weaknesses elsewhere”. While I can’t definitely say that Cole Perfetti’s skating stride won’t hold him back, I’m pretty confident that his resiliency and strength on his edges will be more than enough to make him a capable NHL forward. He’s an equally threatening shooter and playmaker who can navigate in transition and around the offensive zone extremely well. He may not translate his scoring as much as his OHL scoring might indicate, but I have no reason to doubt Perfetti’s projection as a Top-6 scoring option in the NHL, be it as a winger or a centre.” - Will Scouch

“Elite passer and playmaker with great smarts. I like how he fought through some early adversity when the puck wasn't going in the net for him, yet still ended the season with 37 goals.” - Ryan Kennedy

“He draws the attention from the other teams' players. They want to eliminate him and take as much time and space away from him as possible because he's the guy that gets it done. He's elusive with his timely stops and starts; he's got an ability to turn and change direction quickly to find time and space. He's pretty much a dual threat on the ice, dangerous every time he's got the puck.” - Mike Morreale

“He’s a dual threat in the offensive zone, dangerous as a pass option plus a lethal shot. While his skating isn’t perfect, his smarts have more than made up for it at the junior level. Perfetti possesses the competitive drive, as well as the mechanics to improve his skating as he develops and his smarts and offensive tools are only going to help him as he progresses.” - Dylan Galloway

“As skilled as anyone in this draft, his hands are exceptional and it's hard to find flaw in the offensive elements of his game. He lacks explosiveness as a skater, which may be the knock, but I just think his vision, hand skills and finishing ability are all super high end tools.” - Chris Peters

“Once known more as a pure goal-scorer, Perfetti perfected (hehe, get it?) his two-way game in Saginaw and showed his true versatility as a prospect. His 74 assists tied his overall rookie production from a year ago in a year that saw him finish with the most goal (37) and points in the OHL. We know he can score (his 52 goals in 64 minor midget games the season before spoke volumes about that), but now he's fixed some of the defensive issues in his game, too? Future NHL all-star, at your service.” - Steven Ellis

“Just an incredibly intelligent and creative player who plays a couple steps ahead of everyone else. I tell you if this kid can add some lower body strength and improve that foot speed he might end up one of the drafts top NHLers. I like him more as a pro winger making plays and finishing them off more than a 200-foot centre because of the skating.” - Dan Stewart

“Perfetti is a dynamic offensive player who can score, but his playmaking is really his forte. When he sets up on the half wall on the power-play the opposing team is in for trouble. He can score with his deceptive shot, where he can quickly change the angle and release point, or he can find the open man across the I've through traffic. His skating is improving which is just another tool he will be able to use. His edge work and agility help him throw off defenders but adding another gear can only make him more dangerous. Great pick protection with a wide stance. Wouldn't shocked me if he ends up being the second best player in this draft class down the road.” - Levi Hill

“Speaking of consistency and living up to expectations, I’m glad a dual-threat like Perfetti was able to validate his ridiculous Hlinka performance with one of the best seasons by an OHL first-year eligible since the McDavid-Strome-Marner group in 2015. That means his draft year was more productive than the likes of Matt Tkachuk, Alex Debrincat, Nick Suzuki, and Andrei Svechnikov. Whether he’s groomed as a center or wing is not a concern. Although you’d love to see him a step or two quicker, his anticipation, balance, vision, shot, and hands are all off the charts, which is why Perfetti can carve you up in open ice or in tight spaces.” - Steve Kournianos

5. Jack Quinn – Right Wing – Ottawa 67's

Total Votes: 29

Highest Ranking: 3^rd (1x)

Lowest Ranking: 7^th (2x)

Comments:

“Goal scoring in the hardest thing to do in hockey and Jack Quinn does it in bunches. He has a very good shot and has a willingness to shoot that should be envied. He is decent but not great away from the puck. Quinn is able to find the open areas of the ice and get there with ease. He had a massive jump in production from last season and he is an elder statesman when it comes to the 2020 draft so there should be some trepidation with selecting Quinn too high but the kid can score. When players score 50 goals in the OHL in their draft year they generally work out to be good goal-scorers at the next level.” - Tony Ferrari

“50 plus goals in 62 games for the massively improved winger is nothing to sleep on.  He’s perhaps the second-best pure goal scorer in this draft and is able to play in all situations.  There is a lot to like in Jack Quinn.  While Ottawa was stacked, Quinn did not play with Rossi in regular situations and I think people seem to overlook that when looking at his overall numbers.  That illustrates that he can generate his own offence and will only get better as he has more opportunity to play with better players.  Worst case he is a third-line guy in the NHL, but I think he has top-six almost etched in stone.” - Matt Young

“One of the biggest risers out of the OHL this season, Quinn went from being a decent producer on a dominant team to the OHL's most lethal goal-scorer in such quick fashion. And it wasn't because of Rossi, either – sure, they played on the power play together and sometimes in late-game situations, but that's it. Instead, Quinn was busy making his own puck-luck and was rewarded in a huge way. It's worth noting, though, that Quinn missed the 2019 draft cutoff by just a few days, so he does have the age advantage over other prospects and he didn't line up against other team's top lines often – some scouts are wary about Quinn’s true potential. Take that as you will.” - Steven Ellis

“I have been one of Quinn's biggest supporters this year and I will continue to be in the future. I think the age-ism that he faces from some in the scouting community is bologna. Development is non linear. This is a kid who has grown considerably the last three years, was playing AA a good portion of his minor hockey career, only recently dedicated himself to training, and who is far from being a polished product despite being an “old man.” Just take the time to watch Quinn away from the puck; how he moves and how he anticipates the play in all three zones. He creates so many of his own scoring chances at even strength too as there are a lot of tricks in his bag. He's probably never a high end playmaker. He's smarter without the puck than with it. However, goal scorers who do not need to have their zone starts or their ice time sheltered are extremely rare in the NHL today. This is a kid who can be a consistent 30 goal scorer, play in the last minute whether you're up or down a goal, and anchor your penalty killing unit as well as your powerplay. He's a lot closer to Perfetti and Rossi in the eyes of NHL scouts than some think.” - Brock Otten

“The development curve for Quinn has been impressive, going from never playing AAA hockey until minor midget, to CCHL rookie of the year at 16, to 12 goals in the OHL as a 17 year old and jumping up to 52 goals at 18.  It’s what you want to see in a players development.  Quinn made a conscious effort to go to the net more this season, score more ‘dirty’ goals and it made him a more confident player.  A lot of people view Quinn as strictly a goal scorer but he also has some elite vision and I believe the goals and assists will even themselves out as he progresses in his career.” - Kenny Walls

“It bothers me a little bit that I saw him early on in the season and didn’t automatically think of him as a top-20 prospect - the more and more I saw him (and I saw him a lot), the more obvious it was that he is highly competitive and has elite hockey sense. “By the end of the season,Quinn was on Ottawa’s top penalty-killing unit, and showed the scouting world that he will be a safe pick who also happens to have plenty of goal-scoring upside. If he drops out of the top12, he’ll be a steal.” - Grant McCagg

“Admittedly, I was a Jack Quinn skeptic, but the diversity of his scoring has won me over. It seemed like he added a new trick every time I watched. First, the angle-changing wrister. Then, the curl-and-drag shot. He added pump-fake shots, shots with the weight transfer blended into a cut across the slot, and crazy redirections while battling a defender. He has 360-degree pass reception, turning just about any pass into a two-touch scoring chance. He fights to improve his shooting angle or distance to the goal, even by the smallest amounts. There’s his off-puck offence, highlighted by way that he slips behind defenders and times movement into space with the passes and shots. He’s just always just on time; never too late to miss the opportunity, but never too early to get tied up. While his passing and transition games are a bit limited, he’s more than just a get-open-and-shoot finisher. He wins battles, gets defenders on his back, and drags them to the net with him. He’s hockey’s equivalent of a high-end 3-and-D player: a sharpshooter who brings off-puck value.” - Mitch Brown

“A goal scorer who can find the back of the net in many different ways. He can beat defenders 1 on 1 and drive to the net or get the goalie to bite with a quick move in tight. He can score off the rush or with his excellent shot from the home plate area. His knack for reading the play and getting open is what creates so many of his chances.” - Levi Hill

6. Jan Mysak – Center/Left Wing – Hamilton Bulldogs

Total Votes: 26

Highest Ranking: 5^th (5x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside of the Top 10 (3x)

Comments:

“I’ve gotten cooler and cooler on Mysak as the year goes on. I believe he should be a 1st round pick, but a Top-15 player, I’m not so sure. His intelligence and play in transition is rock solid, and he doesn’t show a ton of weaknesses, but his catalyst percentages (percentage relative impact on even strength team goals for and against) were mediocre for a team like Hamilton, and while he improved at 5v5 as the year went on, it’ll be interesting to see how he handles increases in pace of play. I found him perfectly fine in the Czech pro league, but highly underutilized. In Hamilton, there was an adjustment period, but similar to Perreault, the raw tools are really interesting to build on.” - Will Scouch

“Mysak is just scratching the surface and showed real signs of game-breaking offensive ability after he made the move to the OHL. He's an excellent transition player but he can break open a shift in a split second in the offensive zone too. He's going to make some teams look bad next year.” - Anonymous

“He's a pretty polished player for someone who played just 22 games after coming over from the Czech Republic. He's got great instincts, is a really solid 200-foot centerman and can play in all situations. He can play the power play and the penalty kill and continues to grow and mature. I think he's getting stronger and stronger and there's plenty of upside here.” - Mike Morreale

“While his OHL tenure has been brief, it was spectacular. In just 22 games he scored 15 goals and 25 points. His ability to join a team mid-season and be an impact player so quickly can’t go unrecognized. Mysak has some incredible offensive tools and proved to be highly skilled with the puck on his stick. He’s a quick skater and fantastic on the rush, though he could stand to use those quick feet on the back check a bit more often, I actually found him to be decent at defending the top of his zone and pressuring the puck carrier along the wall. While he might fall to the later end of the first round, I think Mysak could be a top 10 to 15 player when we look back at this draft.” - Dylan Galloway

“Despite coming over half way through the season, Mysak’s impact with the Bulldogs warrants his spot on this list. He is an offensive catalyst who can has a very good shot and beats netminders with regularity. He likes to attack the slot and draw defenders in. Mysak always seems to know where his line mates are and often puts pucks into space and allows his teammates to skate into them. He is a powerful skater who doesn’t mind attacking defenders and crossing their face to get to the middle. He may not belong with the top-three forwards from the OHL but he’s separated himself from the rest of the pack.” - Tony Ferrari

“He's been one of the hardest players for me to read all draft season. I think he's a strong skater, has good vision and can make plays, but there have also been times where he looks more like a nice complimentary player than a driver. Still, in this class, I think there are enough positives in his game and he has a nice foundational skill set to believe there's more potential there.” - Chris Peters

“High on my list as an international prospect and only impressed me further in the few OHL games I saw of him this season. Very quick and creative with the puck, attacks the net with speed, protects it like a pro and capitalizes on his chances with a quick shot. Has impressive play making ability and two-way play as well making him low risk.” - Dan Stewart

“I’m not as bullish on Mysak as I was earlier in the season, and I think his compete level and intensity were higher playing alongside adults on a mediocre Litvinov squad than when he played for Hamilton. Not that he played or looked disinterested (he didn’t), but I found myself wanting more, and I also was impressed with Kingston’s Martin Chromiak in the second half over Mysak, who does deserve a mulligan for adjusting to North American ice midseason. Skill-wise, however, Mysak remains an elite talent.” - Steve Kournianos

7. Tyson Foerster – Right Wing – Barrie Colts

Total Votes: 27

Highest Ranking: 5^th (1x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside of the Top 10 (2x)

Comments:

“Foerster has become one of my favourite players in this draft class. The CHL Top Prospects Game showed what he’s capable of, but he was bringing that level of performance throughout the season. His shot is one of the best in the draft, but his all-round offensive game is great. He needs to work on his skating still, but I think that his skating improved through the season and the rest of the skill is there. This season, we saw Connor McMichael take a huge jump forward in his production. I think Foerster could be this year’s McMichael.” - Josh Bell

“Similar to Jack Quinn in the goal-scoring department, but with a less-developed all-around game. Nonetheless, scouts are very intrigued by the kid and the fact he kept producing after the Colts were sellers at the trade deadline.” - Ryan Kennedy

“Joey Tenute of NHL Central Scouting said Foerster is one of the biggest risers of the draft class this season. He can play with and against all the top competition in his draft class (something he proved at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game) and really excel. He has a lethal shot and great goal-scoring instincts. His playmaking ability is a bit underrated, in my opinion. Foerster is a player with high-end offensive upside and he's a potential sleeper in this draft.” - Mike Morreale

“Along with Quinn, Foerster is one of the more debated prospects in this draft. Some have him solidly in the 1st while others see him as a bit more of a risk and have him slotted in the 2nd. Foerster’s biggest weakness is his skating. I’ve found his stride to be a bit wild and inefficient and when attempting dekes he can sometimes stand a bit too tall and lose the low centre of gravity. His development through the year has one of the OHL’s better snipers and offensive threats on the rush. His release is what sets him apart and I’ve seen enough growth in the rest of his game to believe he could get closer to reaching his ceiling, a middle 6 shooter, than his floor.” - Dylan Galloway

“Foerster first caught my eye last year as a player that had more to give and that was going to become a solid OHL player.  Foerster exploded with 36 goals this season and the hockey world got to see just how good the Alliston, Ontario native’s shot is at just 17.  The Barrie Colts suffered through a chaotic season that featured coaching changes and at times, dressing just nine forwards for a lot of games.  It was not a good situation but Foerster persevered through it and took advantage of the situation.  I still don’t know that he’s a top-six player in the NHL, but he could be a very good third liner at the highest level.” - Matt Young

“Can rip it with the best of them on the PP. Skating issues keep him to the outside too often. Not enough off-puck movement to predict HD chances as a pro. Needs to be more engaged.” - Cam Robinson

“Everyone knows about Foerster’s big shot. But he’s a lot more than just a shot. His timing and awareness to jump on steals and loose pucks on the forecheck are among the best in the draft class. He scores in the 90^th percentile in Expected Primary Assists/60 among CHL forwards at 5-on-5, a measure for the quality of shots his passing creates. He’s deceptive, masking his intentions with look-offs and setting his feet for a shot, only to slip a pass to a teammate positioned around the slot. His stride recovery is wide, and his toes flare outward. Along with tons of wasted motion in his upper body and poor skating habits (he glides a ton, doesn’t put himself in position to receive passes in motion), he’s not able to generate much speed. It matters in the OHL, where has among the highest transition turnover rates and dump-in frequencies of forwards. It’ll matter even more in the NHL. But if he can fix that, there’s a possible top-nine forward with first unit PP ability here.” - Mitch Brown

“Had a phenomenal jump from his rookie year to his draft year. Showed a pro shot & is a finisher that capitalizes on a high percentage of opportunities. Smart with & without the puck & he is quick to pucks. He won't win a race line to line but his feet are continuing to get better.” - Mark Seidel

8. Jacob Perreault – Right Wing – Sarnia Sting

Total Votes: 25

Highest Ranking: 5^th (3x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside of the Top 10 (4x)

Comments:

“Jacob Perreault reminds me of William Nylander where his smooth skating has somehow translated to “lack of effort.” I do think he struggles defensively but not because of a lack of effort or trying. I’ve seen him use his body and edge work to create many turnovers in both the o-zone and d-zone. I think Perreault suffered from being on a team that had a really tough season. It wasn’t one player that struggled with defense this year in Sarnia, it was the whole team. I think the Sting will be a lot better next year and we will see a better defensive game from Perreault because of it.” - Tate Harris

“He's a game breaker due to his skill and shot. Inside the offensive zone few in this draft can make the kind of plays or score the kind of goals he can. The skating and play off the puck are mediocre but I'd bet on the elite talent.” - Anonymous

“There are definitely flaws in his game and I'd like to see his effort level become more consistent, but there's not a lot of denying his talent with the puck on his stick. I think he has one of the cleanest releases of any player in the draft and he can create space for himself to make offense happen.” - Chris Peters

“One of the most NHL-ready shots in the class. Versatile in-flight or deadly from a standstill on the PP. His ability to catch and release in stride even on poor passes will be highly transferable. Skating is fine but won’t afford him much time and space at the next level.” - Cam Robinson

“Hard to judge 200 foot game as Sarnia was a pretty horrific as a team defensively but an elite scorer the moment he entered the league, and that's saying something. Got a little undisciplined at times late last year, but that can be ironed out.  Son of an NHL'er is always an intangible in my books, though his game is nothing like his dads who was a fair scorer and elite face off man.” - Steve Clark

“There are two ways to look at it when a player who scored 39 OHL goals is labelled as an underachiever because of questionable fitness and work ethic. You could write him off as a first-round pick because of his bust potential - many high-scoring juniors who failed to do the requisite work after being drafted failed to crack the NHL. It doesn’t matter how talented you are if you don’t want to

compete and improve...the NHL gobbles those guys up. But what if he does figure it out? He could be a 35-goal scorer with his skill.” - Grant McCagg

“Perreault’s shot is downright ridiculous. In addition to the power, release speed, and placement, he packs on plenty of deception to make goaltenders’ lives miserable. When he’s not setting up defenders for screens, he’s looking off the shot or pump-faking then firing – sometimes he combines them all. His passing continues to develop, improving his Expected Primary Assists/60 from 73^rd percentile among CHL forwards to 83^rd, while producing top-level Expected Goals/60 results. In transition, he’s making plays with his feet in motion and using his teammates more frequently, but improvement is required. I’ve seen the occasional flash of a separation gear, but for the most part, he hardly seems to build up any speed through the neutral zone, especially without the puck. As for his defence, it’s tough to excel defensively on a team where it seems optional. Perreault has plenty of poor moments, but the effort’s there. It’ll improve. Perreault has the dual-threat offensive toolkit, a sharp upward development curve, and scoring profile of a top-six forward.” - Mitch Brown

“Perreault came into the season as a consensus 1st round pick and despite still scoring at a high rate, some were critical of his play. He is a pure offensive player that has shown he can score. He needs to get better away from the puck & get physically involved but the Coaches love him & we said the same things last year about Kaliyev.” - Mark Seidel

9. Ryan O'Rourke – Defense – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Total Votes: 23

Highest Ranking: 6th (2x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside of the Top 10 (6x)

Comments:

“One of the more interesting qualities in O’Rourke is his leadership. He’s just 17 years of age and one of the younger defenders in this draft class, but the Greyhounds saw enough of his leadership qualities to name him Captain of the team. At 6’1”, O’Rourke has some good size but will really need to add some bulk to his 169-pound frame. But that doesn’t prevent him from the physical part of the game. He can be described as an “old school” defender who plays the man at every opportunity. He’s hard to beat because he’s always in the oppositions face. And he possesses incredible strength that is difficult to beat on the walls or the battle area in front of his goaltender. O’Rourke’s skating has appeared to improve from a season ago. He has very good mobility with a decent amount of speed. He trusts himself to carry the puck more and that may also be in part due to experience. He has a booming shot from the point that he gets through to the target. Yet he still has the vision to make a good pass in the offensive zone to find teammates. His hockey IQ is extremely high, rarely making a wrong decision.” - Dominic Tiano

“Two-way defender who leans more to the defensive side and plays with an old-school edge. Scouts want him to be a little quicker, but in general they really like him. Already the team captain.” - Ryan Kennedy

“O'Rourke is one I think some are undervaluing given the other top defensemen available in the draft. He checks off all the boxes. He can play in all situations. He plays when the game is on the line. He does all this and just turned 18 on May 16. He is sneaky on offense and is a pest who plays in your face on defense. He's also a team captain and wore a letter at the Top Prospect's game. O'Rourke projects as a future NHL captain to me. That's why he comes in on my list in the top-20 overall.” - Mark Scheig

“I am still a big fan of O’Rourke and his all-around game.  Leadership, strong defensive play, and an emerging offensive side have me excited about what is to come for the Greyhounds’ defender.  The Greyhounds were a younger team this year and will take a significant step in their development next year.  That could lead to a dramatic improvement for O’Rourke statistically too and NHL franchises could be left scratching their heads about how he slid as far as he could in the draft.  As I said at the mid-season point, there is not a lot of flash in his game, but he does everything well.  He simplifies the game and that will only serve him well as he develops into a professional player, given that style is typically low maintenance.  There was talk he would go late in the first round, but I think he is more of a second-round choice because he is safe.  A safe player in the second-round is never a bad thing at all.” - Matt Young

“No question, I think O'Rourke's offensive potential has been hidden thus far. The Greyhounds like their defenders to push the pace and O'Rourke is constantly having to cover for guys like Robert Calisti and Billy Constantinou. However, when he takes the time to be a leader with the puck, he rarely makes a mistake or a bad read. His breakout pass is excellent. He also has a big point shot and good scoring instincts, something that help him be a powerplay presence if he can continue to improve his lateral mobility and edgework. I see a lot of a guy like Dan Hamhuis in O'Rourke and I see him having a similarly long career as a top four defender who can do a lot of things to help his team win.” - Brock Otten

“Why is a 6-0 defenceman with decent, but not outstanding, point totals ranked in Recrutes’ top 25? Well...it’s hard not to like the way he plays the game. There were sound reasons why he was given the ‘C’ this season in the Soo, and it showed every time you watched him - he plays the right way, and he plays to win. You have to like his smarts, and his competitive streak. He’s a guy who will go through a brick wall for a coach - you know he’s going to play and contribute to an NHL team.” - Grant McCagg

“O’Rourke’s one of the most intelligent defenders in junior hockey. He’s nearly unbeatable in one-on-one situations, funnelling attacks to the perimeter before aggressively finishing off them along the boards. He handles complex situations, like a fast-moving attack with numbers, with such ease for a player at this level. It’s easy to see that transferring the pros. While he’s a bit fast to pull the trigger on dump-outs, when he does opt for a breakout pass, he completes a team-high 84 percent. The upside is the primary question. His Expected Goals/60 compares to Drysdale (it’s higher, actually). Of course, he’s not Drysdale offensively and not remotely close as a playmaker, but it’s a testament to O’Rourke’s willingness to activate off the point to generate shots. He identifies gaps and fills them without hesitation, and he has enough shooting talent to turn those chances into goals in the next two years. I question if it translates to the NHL, mostly because of his average acceleration and puck handling. But the rest of his tool kit is top-four defender-calibre.” - Mitch Brown

“He has a lot of attributes to his game that are above average but not necessarily elite. Great shot, very good mobility. The part of his game that sticks out as elite to me would be his play on the penalty kill. Elite shot blocker, great at taking up passing lanes and taking space away from attackers.” - Peter Kneulman

“It’s a shame we never got a chance to see O’Rourke anchor an offense-centric blue line in the OHL playoffs, but his wire-to-wire draft resume for a two-way defenseman remains borderline impeccable. It’s cliche to say you win with mobile, hard-nosed rearguards who can “stop the bleeding” by smothering opponents, but that’s exactly what O’Rourke did when he was habitually thrust into tough matchups or scenarios. He’s super poised and can skate the puck to safety in all directions, yet his opportunities to contribute on offense were limited due to all the “offensemen” the Soo carried.” - Steve Kournianos

10. Martin Chromiak – Left Wing – Kingston Frontenacs

Total Votes: 17

Highest Ranking: 6^th (1x)

Lowest Ranking: Outside of the Top 10 (12x)

Comments:

“Like Mysak, Chromiak was a late comer to the OHL and never missed a beat. Chromiak has superb vision to go along with high end passing abilities. He is excellent with the puck on his stick, protecting it well and an ability to slow things down and let plays develop or give his teammate the time to get to high danger areas and then set them up with a perfect tape-to-tape pass. Chromiak can play both wings, but is most dangerous on the left side, especially on the powerplay where he can run things with his superb playmaking skills. But Chromiak is not just a playmaker. He has an excellent wrist shot and snap shot that is deadly accurate. However, if he is going to predominantly play the left side as a right shot, I would like to see him improve on his one-timer.” - Dominic Tiano

“An interesting player to watch for two reasons: A) Only played in the 2020 Portion of the season after coming over from Slovakia and B) How much of his success came from Shane Wright? Wright had 17 Goals In 30 Games before Chromiak joined the team and 22 Goals in 28 Games after. Of Chromiak’s 22 Assists he recorded in 28 Games in Kingston 16 of them were on Shane Wright goals 10 of which were primary assists. He shows an excellent mix of creating scoring chances for players  (Like On This OT Winner) or his ridiculous ability to create offence off his own stick (Like on This Shot where he corrals the puck and scores in tight). He has the intelligence and hockey IQ to gel quickly with next level players and his instant chemistry with Shane Wright showcases how adaptable he is.” - Jordan Henry

“Chromiak can impact a game in a variety of ways offensively. He's never going to be a big cycle presence but he can break teams down with a quick pass or he can slow the game down and dictate with the puck on his stick. He's also got more scoring touch than we've seen to date. I've become a big fan.” - Anonymous

“I'm really glad that I took the time to focus in on Kingston later in the year (before the stoppage). I also got the opportunity to dissect some video from the Frontenacs and both of these things helped me gain a real appreciation for Chromiak. I don't think we've seen the best from him. One thing that is really underrated is his skating ability. His first few steps, both forwards or laterally, are outstanding and it allows him to be so quick to pucks or to gaps. He has that explosive element to his game. He is also so intelligent with the puck. There's a reason why he developed instant chemistry with Shane Wright and it's because he thinks the game nearly as well as he does. As he gets stronger and more confident in the OHL, I really do believe that we'll see him show more individual skill, especially as a goal scorer and a guy who can push the pace in transition. That “play driver,” that teams are looking for.” - Brock Otten

“The import winger came over and formed an instant chemistry with phenom Shane Wright in Kingston. They make magic together with sneaky passes and both showing the ability to get open to support one another. Chromiak is a strong skater, displaying great pivots and edge work, with a quick shot, who works hard all over the ice, and possesses has excellent vision. Just absolutely love the combination of creativity, puck skills and willingness to play a gritty offensive game that I believe will translate really well to the NHL level.” - Dan Stewart

“Once Martin Chormiak joined the Frontenacs mid-season, he and alongside rookie sensation Shane Wright instantly became one of the most formidable duos in the CHL. Following Chromiak’s decision to move to Canada, his 33 points in 28 games with the Fronts had him skyrocket on draft boards, making him quite the interesting prospect.” - Raine Hernandez

“Chromiak came over and immediately fit in on a line with Shane Wright, scoring over a point per game as Wright’s linemate.  The thing about that is everyone can say Wright, at 15, made him better however that is not totally true.  It can be argued Chromiak’s presence helped Wright as his numbers took off after the Slovakian’s arrival to the league.  I think somebody is going to get a solid player here who will only see his value increase as his chemistry with Wright improves, along with experience.  He really stands out for me.” - Matt Young

Honorable Mentions

Jean Luc Foudy – Right Wing/Center – Windsor Spitfires

Total Votes: 9

Highest Ranking: 7^th (1x)

Comments:

“Has the potential to be the biggest steal in the draft. He has become a frustrating player for many. His skating is fantastic and defensively has no problem tracking players and exiting his zone. Offensively he has great puck control to keep up with his speed and is a great playmaker. You would expect a player with his talent to have a higher point total but he struggles to make good decisions in high danger areas.” - Tate Harris

“I’ve done a full seven game tracking set on Foudy and while he has weaknesses, he’s unbelievably good at what he does best. He gets the puck in the defensive end, gets the puck into the offensive end with control, and sets dangerous plays up offensively. That’s it. That’s his game. He’s a project, and he might not work out, but he’s got so, so much potential. He’s the fastest player I’ve tracked blueline to blueline in the OHL thus far, and he sends over 20 passes to dangerous areas per 60 minutes at 5v5 which blows almost everyone out of the water that I’ve tracked. 30% of his total attempts were these passes. His lack of production is concerning, but I would be curious to see Foudy on a different team with some more skill/finesse-type linemates. I’m a believer in the guy.” - Will Scouch

“Everyone knows Foudy as the speed demon in this draft and his straightaway speed is nearly second to none. While he’s got the speed there are some questions about how he will translate that to the NHL. The system and his usage in Windsor were less than ideal for showing off his talents, but at the same time I was always looking for Foudy to be harder to play against in the offensive zone. I often found that he circled the perimeter of the offensive zone and wasn’t as effective at getting inside on players, even with his superior speed. I think Foudy is one of those risky high ceiling players who, if he hits, will be an incredible injection of offensive talents in the middle 6 of his team, but could also be at risk of busting.” - Dylan Galloway

“I know Foudy's stock has plummeted, but I'm still a believer. I think he's one of, if not the best skater in the draft, can play in all situations and while he won't blow you away with skill, has enough to keep defensemen honest. I think he needs to figure out what kind of player he's going to be long term, because there's going to be a place for a guy with his speed and work ethic on an NHL team down the line.” - Chris Peters

“Foudy scores in the 99^th percentile in both Expected Primary Assists/60 and Controlled Entries/60 among CHL forwards. He’s a capable defensive player who deters shots and funnels the puck carrier into support. He’s also unbelievably frustrating. Some point to his perimeter play, reluctance to shoot, or inconsistent motor. For me, Foudy’s most significant issue is his lack of understanding of his gravitational pull. His speed and handling make him a threat – defenders want to leave their man and double up on him. But instead of taking advantage of his gravity by firing a pass to the open teammate, he skates away from pressure with his head down. Consequently, Foudy limits his options to throwing the puck into scoring areas and hope that it connects or skating endlessly around the offensive zone until he turns it over. He gets away with it in junior, but inefficient creators often have their offensive freedom limited in pros. Whether or not he learns to weaponize his gravity will determine if he’s top-six or an AHLer. I’m not convinced he does – but this rare combination of skating and puck skills is worth a shot.” - Mitch Brown

“I have him in my top 10 due to his elite skating. I feel it gives him a nice floor. There is enough projectability in the rest of his game that would give him a great ceiling. Is he less likely to reach his ceiling than others? Maybe, but I’ll gladly bet on a player with his elite skating.” - Peter Kneulman

Nico Daws – Goaltender – Guelph Storm

Total Votes: 4

Highest Ranking: 8^th (2x)

Comments:

“Front row seats on how to win last year, check. Come out of no where to start the season, check. Make and start for Team Canada at the World Juniors, check. Best story in the OHL if not CHL this year, check. His bounce back after the World Juniors was easily the most impressive thing to me. But I can’t go without mentioning the work he put in last summer, as he took it upon himself to have a pro mindset when it came to nutrition, he lost over 20lbs, due to limiting his snacking among other things. His commitment to his health really paid off as Guelph goes no where without him. 2^nd tendy off of the board come draft day.” - Michael Fenton

“I'm so reluctant to put a goalie in the Top 10, but Daws deserves to be there.  He was the reason that Guelph surprised the heck out of the league the first half of the year. His Team Canada experience at the World Jr's was middling at best but he was one of the two goalies deemed worthy enough of selection.  Big fluid goaltender with room for development.” - Steve Clark

“The 2nd best goalie in the Draft, Daws came out of nowhere and jumped into a 1st round possibility. Much like Byfield, he had a great year except for a few hiccups at the WJC but his patience, quiet movements & ability to direct rebounds is elite.” - Mark Seidel

Jaromir Pytlik – Right Wing/Center – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Total Votes: 3

Highest Ranking: 9^th (1x)

Comments:

“Pytlik is a player that I think is very underrated. While his production didn’t jump out at you this season, the Czech centreman is a player who can make his presence felt every time he’s on the ice. Some players can disappear in games, but Pytlik is a guy who makes sure you know that he’s out there. He’s a dynamic two-way player that can stun you offensively and shut you down defensively. He’s a bit raw still, which can be seen in his positioning sometimes. But overall, I think Pytlik will be a player that leads by example, whether that’s going out to score a goal, blocking shots in a clutch moment, or working the penalty kill. He’s a player that a coach will rely on.” - Josh Bell

“Pytlik is intriguing due to his lower projected ceiling, but the player you’re getting plays a  solid 200 foot game and makes smart defensive plays, and also has some offensive capabilities. His defensive responsibility, positioning and awareness are all excellent for a player at this level, and he’s excellent at breaking up opponents plays and pressuring them into lower danger areas of the ice while cutting off passing lanes. Pytlik’s offensive style may not translate very well to the next level, but he has shown that he’s got decent puck skills, and an ability to find skating lanes through transition to create plays on the fly. While he might top out as a bottom 6 defensive forward, the tools he presents may lend him more opportunities to develop at the NHL level.” - Dylan Galloway

Ty Tullio – Right Wing – Oshawa Generals

Total Votes: 2

Highest Ranking: 8^th (1x)

Comments:

“He plays a high-level offensive game and easily surpasses the point-per-game mark in his draft year. Tullio is quietly one of the most complete players in the draft class. He can play in all situations and anywhere in the top-nine. He has good awareness at both ends of the ice and brings a creativity to the offensive zone that makes him dangerous anytime the puck is on his stick. He is craft y with his stick and strips opponents through the neutral zone with consistency. Tullio engages physically despite being a bit undersized thanks to a non-stop motor. A versatile forward who can get under the opponent’s skin.” - Tony Ferrari

“The more I watched Oshawa, the more I realized that Tullio not only deserved his promotion to play alongside Phil Tomasino, but it was Tullio who carried the line on his own when necessary. Granted, the chemistry seemed instant, but I like the fact that Tullio oozed confidence and lethality when he himself was carrying the puck across center. There is a ton of flash to his game, but he also adds the physical and agitation components. I think he’s a sleeper for the late first round.” - Steve Kournianos

Brandon Coe – Right Wing – North Bay Battalion

Total Votes: 2

Highest Ranking: 9^th (2x)

Comments:

“A 6’3” forward who almost put up a ppg on the worst team in the O. How is this guy not talked about more? Coe is a good skater for his size and also has great hands. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him picked earlier than most think because he is the type of player NHL execs love.” - Tate Harris

“I’ve liked Coe since I saw him at the CHL Top Prospects game and I only like him more and more the more I watch. I’m not anti-size. I just want my size to be able to actually play hockey. Brandon Coe can play hockey. I think he’s extremely undervalued considering the team he plays on. He’s extremely skilled and great on his edges around the ice. He can cover a ton of ice quickly and create space extremely well. His scoring ability is also high level both shooting and passing. Coe is a guy I’m really going to have to fast-track a data set on. I’m fascinated by him and think he’d be a great pickup in the first 62 picks of this year’s draft.” - Will Scouch

Zayde Wisdom – Right Wing – Kingston Frontenacs

Total Votes: 2

Highest Ranking: 10^th (2x)

Comments:

“I know that there are several players who are ranked higher than him on various draft lists, but I was so drawn to his story when I read it in The Athletic.  There's a hunger/chip on his shoulder that makes you think he'll succeed at every level. Sure his goal total expanded playing with Shane Wright but it takes a special player to play with a talent like Wright's. You just want to root for him.” - Steve Clark

Will Cuylle – Left Wing – Windsor Spitfires

Total Votes: 1

Highest Ranking: 8^th (1x)

Comments:

“I know he slid out of the first round in many draft rankings as he can something of an inconsistent year, but size, hands are all wonderful and the potential is tantalizing at the pro level.  Call me a throwback but I'll always rank a big winger ahead of someone with similar potential.” - Steve Clark

Luke Evangelista – Right Wing – London Knights

Total Votes: 1

Highest Ranking: 8^th (1x)

Comments:

“Hunter has a history of knowing when he has a prime-time player on his hands, so when you see him playing a draft-eligible prospect in a first-line role when they are usually assigned to third or fourth-line duties, you have to know that he’s doing a lot oft he little things right that will endear him to NHL coaches. He’s not the biggest or fastest guy out there, but he is constantly involved in the offence thanks to his ability to read the play and choose the right option.” - Grant McCagg

Evgeni Oksentyuk – Left Wing – Flint Firebirds

Total Votes: 1

Highest Ranking: 8th

Comments:

“Had he been playing in the OHL last season, he likely isn’t available this year. The Belarussian fire cracker played at home last season in Belarus and between a lack of exposure, his small size (5’8”) and his skating flaws teams shied away. Now he has an impressive season in the OHL in his back pocket and his skating has improved steadily over the last 12 months. He will likely need to continue to get stronger but his size shouldn’t be an issue as he plays like a bull in a china shop. He has some of the best hand s in the OHL pushes everything towards the middle of the ice. If you’re on the opposing team, and you get hit and then see the red light go on behind your goalie, both were probably Oksentyuk.” - Tony Ferrari

Pavel Gogolev – Left Wing – Guelph Storm

Total Votes: 1

Highest Ranking: 8^th (1x)

Comments:

“He's not in my top 10, but I am glad that someone mentioned him. It is so tough to rank guys in their last year of eligibility, however Gogolev is different than a lot of them in that he's not some flash in the pan or a guy who is suddenly dominating due to a size advantage. He scored 30 in his original draft year for a reason. The skill level has always been high. But improvements to his skating, decision making, and overall engagement level have really allowed him to become a dominant junior player. He and Cam Hillis really put Guelph on their backs this year from an offensive standpoint. If I were splicing Gogolev into my overall OHL rankings, there's no question that he'd be top 30, maybe even top 20 in the class. There's a chance he doesn't make it; absolutely. This is especially true because he won't be a bottom six player. There's also a chance that he continues to improve and becomes a top 6 goal scorer. These draft re-entries, or players outside their original year of eligibility, have had more success in recent years than people realize.” - Brock Otten

James Hardie – Left Wing – Mississauga Steelheads

Total Votes: 1

Highest Ranking: 10^th (1x)

Comments:

“While he is not in my top 10, he is a player I wanted to write about mostly due to my enjoyment watching him all season clipping highlights and his variance across scouting ranks. NHL Central Scouting has him 163rd among North American Skaters while The Hockey News has him ranked 90th Overall. His 34 Goals rank among First Year OHL Draft-Eligible Players behind only Jack Quinn, Marco Rossi, Jacob Perreault, Cole Perfetti and Tyson Foerster. 11 of those 34 Goals came on the Powerplay which is where some of Hardie’s offensive skills and skating ability are showcased. He plays bigger than he is and is a player who knows he’s not a perfect prospect, but based on what we saw from him this season he’s a player to keep an eye on in the middle rounds of the 2020 NHL Draft.” - Jordan Henry

“A sense around some scouts is he is just a goal scorer and has several flaws in his game. If he continues to take strides in his game he could be a steal for an NHL team.” - Tony Ambrogio