Iceland drafts "blindly" for CCHL 2024 draft

 Well sports fans, the CCHL entry draft is done and what a wild ride it was. With the CCHL draft being held a few weeks before the NHL draft, teams did not have the luxury of seeing who was drafted in the NHL. This certainly creates a lot of uncertainty but also some excitement. Once the NHL draft is held, we could see some of the players drafted early in our CCHL draft end up being later round picks in the NHL, or vice versa, we could see some late round CCHL picks turn out to be early NHL draft gems! Of course, there is also the possibility that a player drafted in the CCHL will not be drafted in the NHL, which is a bummer, but we have seen this before.

With that background, Iceland set out to create their own draft list, scouring many draft sites and doing their own homework to come up with our draft list. As the draft unfolded, the expected early round picks went off the board, like Macklin Celebrini, Ivan Demidov, Tij Iginla, etc. As Iceland stepped up to the podium with the 12th pick, a pick they acquired in the dispersal draft, the best player available was dynamic offensive dman, Zayne Parekh. While Iceland did not have a strong need at D, Parekh was too good to pass up.

With subsequent picks, Iceland acquired some additional high-end dmen in Leo Sahlin Wallenius (from the land of the Wisborg Donuts) and Aron Kiviharju. Kiviharju was a bigger "swing for the fences" type of pick but if he continues to develop, could be a dynamic offensive dman in the NHL.

Iceland also acquired some talent and size up front, with Nikita Artamonov, Maxim Masse, Christian Humphreys, Jack Berglund and Topias Hynninen. Artamonov is particularly exciting with his skill. Humphreys came from the US National Development team and could be another "swing for the fences" type of pick. He is talended but a bit on the smaller side. Given the trend in the NHL to have exciting, smaller players, his size should not be a limiting factor.

Iceland also added to their goalie depth, drafting Eemil Vinni, the #1 ranked international goalie, from Finland, and Victor Ostman, also from the land of the Donuts.

The two most celebrated picks of the day were Ryder Korczak, who is a Rangers prospect, and Daniil Ustinkov, who is a nominee for the best name in the draft. He's no Ivan Ivan, but still pretty darn good!

With the depth of draft picks, Iceland also made a few trades, trading Justin Poirier to Amos for Simon Zether and Harrison Brunicke. Then, Iceland made a trade with Fort Erie, sending their last 3 picks for Fort Erie's 4th round pick in 2026.

All in all, Iceland drafted/acquired 5 dmen, 7 forwards and 2 goalies. That is a successful draft that should help keep the prospect pipeline in Iceland filled with shiny, new prospects!

Millers 2024 Entry Draft Review

 The Millers replenished their prospect pool not in quantity, but by what they hope is quality after making 4 picks in the draft. Georgetown dealt a total of 6 picks to Fort Erie in 2 separate deals, with 2 going to move up to draft Chernyshov and 4 late picks dealt for a 2026 5th rounder. 

4th Overall - Berkly Catton, C. 

Long on the Millers radar, the Spokane pivot should provide the club with a long-sought dynamic offensive force. On skill alone Catton is probably the 3rd best Forward in this draft but his 5’10 height has him pegged in most mocks as falling outside the top 10. Georgetown decided to roll the dice regardless, hoping the speedy, shifty and intelligent scorer can translate his skill to at least a 2nd line C role or possibly as a top line Winger. Catton’s speed is also an asset on the penalty kill. Catton is likely 2 to 3 seasons away from featuring in the Millers lineup. 

27th Overall - Igor Chernysov, W

The Millers traded picks 40 and 64 to Fort Erie to move up and acquire the Russian winger, having had him at 16 on their internal draft board. Chernysov is a solidly built 6’2 winger with above average skating ability and a direct north-south style. He saw some time in the KHL in a bottom line role and put up 3 goals while scoring over a point per game in the MHL. Chernyshov should see a bigger KHL role as a teen-ager in the upcoming season and his pro frame and playing style should help him make a quick transition to the North American game in 2 to 3 seasons. 

72nd Overall- Carson Wetsch, W

With their next pick the Milers went back to the Western Hockey League and chose Calgary winger Carson Wetsch. The British Columbia native is already carrying 200 lbs on a 6’1 frame and profiles as middle 6 power-forward as a pro. Wetsch is likely to be a complimentary piece on a scoring line, doing the dirty work on the forecheck and in the corners and getting to the net to put in pucks. His skates very well for his size and has a plus wrister. At worst he’s a solid bottom 6 wing but hopes are he can support the 2nd and 3rd lines in his prime. 

107th Overall - Maxim Tsyplakov, W

With their last pick the Millers decided to pick what they hope is immediate help in the 25 year-old Russian winger who is moving to the NHL after signing as a free agent. Tsyplakov exploded for 31 goals in his last KHL season, three times his previous career high. At 6’2 and 190 lbs his physical play is just as impressive as his shooting prowess. Assuming a smooth transition to the NHL, he should be a solid bottom 6 winger for a few years. 

Millers Musings - Memorial Day edition

 One more trade and a look at the roster’s top 23 and under players. 

Goodrow goes to Fort Erie

After dangling him all off-season the Millers finally moved out veteran F Barclay Goodrow, sending him and $1.8 million in cash (half his salary) to Fort Erie for 2 prospects: D Gavin White and G Maxim Mayorov. 

 White just completed his first AHL season, and the former OHL Defender held his own, scoring 11 points in 49 games. Known as an offensive-minded blue liner in his OHL days, the hope is he can increase his scoring in his 2nd AHL season and possibly show enough to become a 3rd pair or depth option for the Stars in the next couple of years. 

 Mayorov is a 6’6  20 year-old goalie in Russia who has spent his last couple of years putting up monster numbers in the MHL, the Russian equivalent of the CHL. He’ll either spend the 24-25 season in the MHL for the last time or move up to the VHL. He’s a good 2 seasons away from possibly having a KHL role, so he’s a wildcard but the size, bloodlines (his father was a long-time KHL goalie) and performance make him an interesting lottery ticket. 

23 and Under Players

With the CCHL draft a little over 3 weeks away, it’s a good time to look at the youth pipeline in Georgetown and see where the strengths and weaknesses lie and how that might effect the Millers picks in the draft. Many analysts use a players age 23 season as a dividing line between potential and plateauing. Below are the U23 players eligible to play for the team this season, based on their disk age. 

Dylan Guenther (20), LW/RW. Guenther is seen as a future top 6 mainstay on the wings, and is projected to have a top 9 role and lots of PP ice time this coming season. He should be a 30 to 40 goal scoring winger with an all-around game in his prime. 

David Jiricek (20), D. Jiricek is projected by the Millers to be a top 4 D-Man and PP threat at minimum. His defensive zone reads need work, and he’s probably no higher than 10th on the blue line depth chart entering the season, but it’s hoped he can work his way to at least semi-regular duty by the 25-26 season. 

Matt Rempe (21), C. Throughout franchise history the Millers have rarely ever utilized a traditional fighter. Chris Neil played one year towards the end of his career but didn’t see much ice time. Rempe could change that, although he is more likely to be used as a depth option then an everyday player., drawing in when up against more physical teams. 

Mikael Pyythia (21), C. The Finn had a decent 1st AHL season and saw action for 17 games for a depleted Columbus roster. He’s likely a depth forward in the NHL since he lacks any one outstanding skill. He’s highly unlikely to see any time in the Millers lineup this season and would be a depth option even if he cements a bottom 6 NHL role. 

Ridley Greig (21), C. Picked up in the dispersal draft, the Millers are excited to have him on the club, although he currently profiles as the team’s 13th forward heading into the season. Greig’s got a high motor and enough skill to carve out a long career as a middle 6 forward and special teams contributor.

Jayden Struble (22), D. Struble had a good NHL debut, playing bottom 4 minutes in Montreal a year after coming out of college. He’s above Jiricek on the current depth chart but long-term is a bottom pair defenseman for the Millers.

Marco Rossi (22), C. The crown jewel of the Millers offseason acquisitions, Rossi is a future 2nd line C , and potentially a top line C with further development. Although not reflected in his ratings Rossi is considered to have strong defensive chops as well as offensive ability and should grow into a well-rounded top 6 player for the Millers within a couple of years. He’ll start 24-25 as the 3rd line Center. 

Jesperi Kotkaniemi (23), C. A former first round pick of the Millers. Kotkaniemi returns to the club with a lot less hype than he had on his draft day. Coming off a terrible NHL season, he’s at best the club’s 14th forward on the depth chart. Management is hoping for a comeback season that will at least put him into a bottom 6 role for the 25-26 season. 

Lukas Dostal (23), G. Slated to backup Skinner in net, there is hope that as Dostal gains more experience and his NHL club matures around him he could become the starter in a couple of years. The team’s best G prospect is Michael Hrabel and he’s a good 5 years from an NHL job, so Dostal is the present and near future in-system challenger to Skinner.