Welcome back to the eighth and final part to my top ten prospect reviews. So far, we've taken a look at what are usually the top seven in international hockey. Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Today, we'll take a look at the best of the rest. This list will be composed of more than one country, with prospects from nations such as Denmark, Switzerland, Latvia, and more. Without further ado, let's dive in and take a look at the remaining top prospects.
10. Alexander True (DENMARK) C, Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL (Prospect eligible for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft)
True is currently in his second year playing in the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Kobenhavn native is a hulking solid two way forward, and developing nicely in the WHL. He was not drafted in 2015, but is eligible again this year and could find himself being taken in the later rounds of the draft. He's currently not having a great season with only 26 points in 51 games, but he's also a very defensive and physical forward and if he's not drafted this season, there's a good chance he is in his final year of eligibility. He had two points in five games for Denmark at the World Juniors this year, and is also the cousin of Winnipeg Jets first round pick Nikolaj Ehlers.
9. Stepan Falkovsky (BELARUS) D, Ottawa 67's, OHL (Prospect eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft)
If there's one word you should use to describe Falkovsky, it's monster. There's a few, actually. Hulk, tower, giant, you name it. The Minsk native stands at 6'7 and 225 pounds, and needless to say he's a force and absolute terror to play against. He transferred to the OHL this season after playing in the MHL last season, where he recorded 11 points in 22 games. This season, he's put up 28 points in 48 games for the 67's and though he was born in 1996, he still has two more years of draft eligibility because he was born in December. There's a very good chance somebody drafts him between this year and next year given his size and defensive ability.
8. Kristers Gudlevskis (LATVIA) G, Syracuse Crunch, AHL (5th round, 124th overall in 2013 to the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Gudlevskis is known best for his outstanding performance for Team Latvia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics against Team Canada. He stood on his head and limited the Canadians to only one goal. Just the year before, the Lightning took him in the 5th round and he has not disappointed. This season, he's posted a 9-9-6 record with a 2.96 GAA and a .902 save percentage. He's a decent prospect, but with Ben Bishop and Andrei Vasilevsky running the show for the time being his future in Tampa looks cloudy. If Gudlevskis feels he deserves an NHL job somewhere else he could look to request a trade, or sign in the KHL.
7. Jonas Siegenthaler (SWITZERLAND) D, ZSC Lions, National League A (2nd round, 57th overall in 2015 to the Washington Capitals)
Siegenthaler is a very solid defensive defenseman who is good in all situations. He currently has 7 points in 37 games for the Lions, playing alongside of projected 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews and he's been looked at as a stay-at-home, shut down type of guy. He only had one point in six games for the Swiss at the World Juniors this year, but again, he was utilized mainly defensively. The Zurich native could develop into a future Karl Alzner for the Caps in the future if his development goes smoothly.
6. Noah Rod (SWITZERLAND) LW, Geneve-Servette, National League A (2nd round, 57th overall in 2014 to the San Jose Sharks)
Rod has had a decent season so far playing for Geneve-Servette in the NLA, posting 14 points in 41 games, but the La-Chaux-de-Fonds native truly got to showcase his talent at the World Juniors, both last season and this season. He put up 6 points in 6 games for Team Switzerland at the World Juniors in 2015, and this year he posted the same totals while sporting the "A". Expect him to possibly make the jump next season to join the San Jose Barracuda, or potentially remain in Europe for a few more years before maing his North America debut.
5. Martins Dzierkals (LATVIA) LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL (3rd round, 78th overall in 2016)
When the Leafs took to the board in 2015 to announces their second 3rd round pick after taking defenseman Andrew Nielsen with their first, everyone was surprised when they took young Latvian forward Martins Dziekrals. He was playing in the KHL's junior league the MHL, where not a lot of scouting occurs, but put up 28 points in 32 games. The following season, he made the transition to North America to play for Rouyn-Noranda of the QMJHL, and the Ogre native has not disappointed. Dzierkals has put up 53 points in 47 games for over a point per game and also registered 4 points in 5 games for Latvia in the WJC qualifiers.
4. Daniel Sprong (NETHERLANDS) LW, Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL (2nd round, 46th overall in 2015 to the Pittsburgh Penguins)
The only Dutch prospect on this list, Sprong was originally given a spot on the Pens' opening night lineup after recording 88 points in 68 games for Charlottetown the previous year. He recorded 2 goals in 18 games for the Pens before being reassigned back to the QMJHL, burning a year off of his entry level deal. He's produced at his normal rate since returning to the Islanders this season, posting 35 points in 24 games. He has a deadly shot and a serious knack for goal scoring, so expect him to have a place on the Penguins' roster full time next season.
3. Oliver Bjorkstrand (DENMARK) LW, Lake Erie Monsters, AHL (3rd round, 89th overall in 2013 to the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Bjorkstrand had an unbelievable season last year with the Portland Winterhawks, posting 118 points in 59 games. He stood out at the World Juniors with 4 goals and 5 points in 5 for Team Denmark. The Herning native is just an all around offensive juggernaut. He's currently having a very solid first AHL season with the Jackets' affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters with 19 points in 37 games, and is a gifted player in general. Him and Nikolaj Ehlers are the future of Danish hockey.
2. Kevin Fiala (SWITZERLAND) LW, Milwaukee Admirals, AHL (1st round, 11th overall in 2014 to the Nashville Predators)
Fiala is having a very good season for the Admirals in his first full AHL season, as he currently has 27 points to date. The Uzwil native shares a dual ciztenship with the Czech Republic and spent almost his whole career playing in Sweden, so he's very multicultural. He finished his final season with 14 points in 20 games for HV71 of the SHL and transferred midway through the season and added 20 points in 33 games for the Admirals in 2014-15. Assuming development goes correctly for Fiala, he should blossom into a top six scoring forward for the Preds.
1. Timo Meier (SWITZERLAND) LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, QMJHL (1st round, 9th overall in 2015 to the San Jose Sharks)
Up until the middle of this year, Meier had spent his entire junior career playing for the Halifax Mooseheads, a team that had oozed talented players over the last three years such as Nathan Mackinnon, Jonathan Drouin, and Nikolaj Ehlers. Meier had a solid season last year, recording 90 points in 61 games for them and the Herisau is producing the same way this year. He currently has 60 points in 40 games between the Mooseheads and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, whom he was traded to a few months ago. If Meier produces the way he's been lately for the next few years, he should definitely become a regular goal scorer for the Sharks.
Thanks for reading. I had a lot of fun writing this series, I hope you guys had fun reading it.
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