CANADIAN PRESS (Sudbury, ON)
With the CCHL well under way into its second week of action, there is no time like the present to see who may be plying their trade in the Nickel Belt in the very near future. To be considered a prospect for this report, the player is not currently on the active roster or in the minors.
Below are the Sudbury Miners top-10 CCHL prospects for Fall 2017.
- Mikhail Sergachev – D
Sergachev was good but not dominant in the OHL. His skating is ridiculous for a big defenseman, as he's able to get up into the rush. He has decent skill, can move the puck efficiently this season and has a big shot. He doesn't shy away from physical play, and though his defense has shown progress, his D-zone reads and risky plays are remaining issues in his game.
- Olli Juolevi – D
Juolevi has talent but doesn't always assert himself offensively, too often being a secondary piece in the attack. His defense has been just fine but not outstanding; while his reads are good, he loses too many battles. Juolevi is a fantastic skater with all the tools to be a successful, two-way NHL defenseman, but he will need to step up his game in 2017-18 to earn a spot with the Miners.
- Colin White - C/RW
White stagnated a little last season. But even given that stagnation, he remains a legitimate prospect and projects as a two-way center in the CCHL. White doesn't wow you on any given shift, but he makes good plays all over the ice. His hockey sense is top-end on both sides of the puck, he has a decent skill set, and is very competitive in puck battles, always seeming to come out on the winning end.
- Casey Mittelstadt – C
Mittelstadt is a dynamic playmaker who can generate scoring chances in bunches. He can dangle in open ice with the best of them and can make a highlight happen at any moment. Mittelstadt sees the ice well, often executing on high-difficulty feeds and being a primary starting point of the offense. His skating isn't as dynamic as his hands, but he skates well and has a separation gear in his feet. He isn't as great off the puck; despite a strong frame, he loses more battles than he should.
- Owen Tippett – RW
First-rounder Tippett is an exciting winger to watch. He was a dominant goal scorer in the OHL last season. His ability to go from 0 to 60 -- metaphorically speaking, though he's darn quick -- is impressive, and he can gain the offensive blue line with ease. He has a high skill level and can make some open-ice plays, but he's much more comfortable going north-south than east-west. He can kill penalties due to his speed and IQ and can be a shorthanded scoring threat while doing so.
- Jacob Larsson – D
Larsson was just so-so during his time with Frolunda and the Swedish World Juniors team last season but he is still a top prospect. He is projected as a defenseman who skates very smoothly for a guy of his size and can be an effective puck-mover. However, he has stretches in which his play becomes forgettable and he doesn't impose himself with his talents and thus fades into the background. He has the talent to be a solid two-way CCHL defenseman.
- Martin Necas – C
Martin Necas is a dynamic talent. His skating ability is very good, and he excels when playing a fast-paced game. Necas is also a good playmaker who can slow the game down and make plays from the boards. He controls the puck well and can make above-average plays with his hands. His off-the-puck game will need work going forward.
- Juuso Valimaki - D
Valimaki stands 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, but skates like a 5-foot-11 player, with an easy, powerful stride. His puck skills aren't dynamic, but he has decent hands to couple with good offensive instincts and an ability to play at a quick pace. Defensively, he's a rock, with an ability to close gaps with his speed in addition to winning a lot of battles and making smart, simple plays.
- Henri Jokiharju – D
Jokiharju is a great skater and is a smart, two-way defenseman who can dictate tempo and move the puck efficiently. His skill may not be top-end level, but he's going to be able to rack up a lot of points thanks to his vision, feet, and decision-making. Despite not being a big guy, Jokiharju is quite effective defensively because he's very smart with his positional play.
- Travis Dermott – D
Dermott is developing into a reliable, all-situations player. Last year, his play picked up as the season went along, concluding with an excellent postseason. He's an elusive and mobile skater, with quality puck skills and great vision. Despite being small, he makes defensive stops due to his feet and IQ. He is not projected to be an upper-echelon player, but he could be a very useful CCHL defenseman.
Honourable Mentions:
Blake Speers – C
Eric Comrie – G
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – G
Troy Terry – C
Dennis Yan - LW
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