Welcome back to my top ten prospect series, where I go over the best examples of the next generation of the NHL in each country. Yesterday we went over Canada, today we'll discuss USA. Let's take a look
10. Conor Garland, C, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL (5th round, 125th overall in 2015 to the Arizona Coyotes)
Garland is a very interesting prospect. He's undersized, there's no doubt about that. Standing at 5'8 and 163lbs, he's definitely not known for his frame. What he is known for is the fact that he led the QMJHL in scoring last season and is currently leading them again this season. After tallying 129 points in 67 games last year, he's on pace to match his career high, as he currently has 109 points in 50 games. He left the Coyotes wondering how he dropped to the 5th round and they're more than pleased with the result.
9. Colin White, C, Boston College, NCAA (1st round, 21st overall in 2015 to the Ottawa Senators)
After making the transition from the USHL's USNTDP Juniors to Boston College of the NCAA, Colin White is having a great first season. Currently has 36 points in 28 games and also played a key role for Team USA at the World Juniors, while putting up 7 points in 7 games for them.
8. Sonny Milano, LW, Lake Erie Monsters, AHL (1st round, 16th overall in 2014 to the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Milano was drafted while playing for the USNTDP in 2014, and the very next season he joined the OHL's Plymouth Whalers, recording a solid 68 points in 50 games for his new team. This season was his first as a pro, and is having a very good campaign with the Lake Erie Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets with 17 points in 31 games.
7. Thatcher Demko, G, Boston College, NCAA (2nd round, 36th overall in 2014 to the Vancouver Canucks)
Demko is making huge strides playing alongside of fellow American top prospect Colin White with Boston College. The California native is arguably the best goalie in the NCAA, holding a 20-4-4 record with a 1.80 GAA and a .935 save percentage. If he keeps up his performance, he could very well become a #1 goalie in the NHL.
6. Jimmy Vesey, LW, Harvard University, NCAA (3rd round, 66th overall in 2012 to the Nashville Predators)
Vesey is by far the most interesting prospect on this list. He is ripping up Harvard U this season with 18 goals and 35 points in 24 games this season, but he has yet to be signed to a contract and is a UFA entering the 2016 offseason. If the rumours are true, I'm sure tons of teams will be interested. He is putting up very impressive numbers for the NCAA.
5. Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London Knights, OHL (Top 2016 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect)
Tkachuk has garnered tons of interest around the league since he left the US to play for the London Knights of the OHL. He's tearing it up in his first season, playing alongside of 2015 fourth pick Mitch Marner and fellow 2016 draft prospects Max Jones and Olli Juolevi. He put up 11 points in 7 games for USA at the World Juniors and currently has 81 points in 43 games for the Knights.
4. Christian Dvorak, C, London Knights, OHL (2nd round, 58th overall in 2014 to the Arizona Coyotes)
The second of back to back London Knights on this list, Dvorak is tearing up the OHL this year with 96 points in 45 games as of late. This being his last eligible season to play in the OHL, expect him to report to the Coyotes' AHL affiliate, and push for a spot on the main roster alongside of former Knights teammate Max Domi.
3. Kyle Connor, C, University of Michigan, NCAA (1st round, 17th overall in 2015 to the Winnipeg Jets)
Connor is making a real name for himself this year in the NCAA. After being projected to go in between 10-15th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, the Winnipeg Jets were ecstatic to see him slip to 17. He's currently leading the NCAA in scoring with 46 points in 27 games for UM. He's making a serious case for the Jets to look at bringing him up next season.
2. Zach Werenski, D, University of Michigan, NCAA (1st round, 8th overall in 2015 to the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Another back-to-back University of Michigan player, Werenski is having a stellar campaign this year. He currently has 21 points in 25 games, very good totals for a defenseman in the NCAA, and is great defensively and can throw the body as well. Put up nine points in seven games for Team USA at the World Juniors this year, and could easily be a top candidate to make the Jackets full time next season.
1. Auston Matthews, C, ZSC Lions, NLA (2016 top draft-eligible prospect)
It was not hard to label Matthews as the top American prospect this year. After putting up disgusting numbers for the USNTDP last season, he shocked the hockey world by signing with the ZSC Lions in Switzerland for his draft year. He currently has 38 points in 32 games and is the projected first overall pick for the coming draft in June.
Thanks for reading, everyone.
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