As promised earlier in the month, today I start a brand new segment here on TML world, where I give you all an update on our prospects during the last four days of each month. The reason for this being that I'm going to update you on our prospects across four different leagues. The CHL, the NCAA, European Leagues, and the Marlies. Today, we'll kick things off with exclusively the prospects across the CHL, with players playing in either the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL. Let's take a look.
WHL
Andrew Nielsen, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes (3rd round, 64th overall in 2015)
Nielsen is known as the classic Western Canada defenseman. Big, strong, good defensively and capable of making huge hits. However, he's showcased his offensive side this season, tallying 5 goals and 14 points in 11 games for the Canes this year.
OHL
Jeremy Bracco, LW, Kitchener Rangers, (2nd round, 61st overall)
Bracco is tough to report on at this point, given that he announced today that he was dropping out of Boston College and signing with the Kitchener Rangers, but in Boston he recorded 3 assists in 5 games. He will add even more offense to an already stacked Rangers team.
Travis Dermott, D, Erie Otters (2nd round, 34th overall in 2015)
Dermott stepped up in the playoffs last season for the Otters with 15 points in 17 games, and is quietly continuing that production with 6 points in 11 games for Erie.
Stephen Desrocher, D, Oshawa Generals (6th round, 155th overall in 2015)
Desrocher, like Andrew Nielsen, is more known for his defensive side of the game, but he's also proving he's capable offensively, with 4 goals and 13 points for the 2015 Memorial Cup-winning Generals this season.
Nikita Korostelev, RW, Sarnia Sting (7th round, 185th overall in 2015)
Korostelev could potentially end up being one of the biggest steal in the draft. Most analysts had him going 3rd round, while the Leafs snagged him in the 7th. The Moskva, Russia native currently has 11 points in 12 games for the Sting this year.
Mitch Marner, C, London Knights (1st round, 4th overall in 2015)
The highly touted 4th overall pick of the Leafs currently has 5 goals and 15 points in 10 games for the Knights, which many experts are considering a slow start for the small, skilled forward. Yeah, he's that good.
J.J Piccinich, RW, London Knights (4th round, 103rd overall in 2014)
Piccinich left Boston University to play for the Knights this season alongside fellow prospect Mitch Marner, and is currently performing above expectations, with 8 goals and 15 points in 10 games for the Knights.
QMJHL
Cody Donaghey, D, Halifax Mooseheads (Undrafted, signed by Leafs in 2014)
Donaghey is currently off to a slow start with the Mooseheads, with only one point in four games for his team, but it's not really fair to say he's underperforming when he's only 4 games in.
Martins Dzierkals, LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (3rd round, 68th overall in 2015)
In the draft, Leafs director of player personnel Mark Hunter went off the board and took Dzierkals, who he presumed would be one of the sleeper picks of the draft. His theory is currently paying off, as Dzierkals has tallied 9 goals and 20 points in 13 games, good enough for second on his team in points.
Dmytro Timashov, LW, Quebec Remparts (5th round, 125th overall in 2015)
Timashov, known for his ability to make plays and generate assists, is currently living up to his junior hype with 13 assists and 18 points in 12 games for the Remparts.
Thanks for reading. Tomorrow, we'll take a look at how Leafs prospects in the NCAA are panning out.
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