Two London Knights and two former London Jr. Knights are expected to hear their names called early at the NHL Entry Draft in Chicago.
The first round will be held Friday night with rounds two through seven taking place on Saturday.
Here are the top-ranked London Knights and area players:
Robert Thomas
London Knights
Hockeyprospect.com……….#23
NHL Central Scouting………#22 among North American Skaters
ISS…………………………………..#21
McKeen’s………………………..#15
If there was an easy way to measure the growth of a player’s game from the time he first stepped on to the ice in major junior until the time his name is called in the NHL Entry Draft, Thomas would be at, or close to the top of the list. And he was good when he started. Thomas can give analytics junkies a whole lot to talk about. Add up the number of times he is on the ice for his team’s scoring chances and he always ranks well. Calculate his impact in any defensive metric and he rates well. He has become a go-to face-off guy for the London Knights as well.
What Mark Edwards of Hockeyprospect.com says:
“We’ve heard Bo Horvat comparisons and I don’t subscribe to that… but I do see the responsible, high hockey IQ aspect. I think Thomas passes up some shooting opportunities, but Thomas is an excellent puck mover with a high IQ and is seen as a third-line centre or winger that is very reliable.”
Alex Formenton
London Knights
Hockeyprospect.com……….#52
NHL Central Scouting………#29 among North American Skaters
ISS…………………………………..#32
McKeen’s………………………..#57
When Ontario Hockey League teams were making their picks in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, Alex Formenton’s name was on all kinds of lists because of his speed and skill, but his size seemed to scare everyone away. Formenton wasn’t big. He was not much over 5’5. There were 215 names called ahead of his before the London Knights took Formenton in the 11th round. The King City native kept his speed and his skill and then he hit a growth spurt and now comes in a 6’1. He impressed enough to be invited to the Top Prospects game in 2017, which features the top 40 draft-eligible prospects playing major junior. Players taken in the 11th round of anything rarely find their way there and Formenton wowed scouts even further by winning the skills competition.
What Mark Edwards of Hockeyprospect.com says:
“We cover the OHL draft as well… and we had said if he grows, he could be a real sleeper. His feet are amazing. He’s a fantastic skater. For me. It is a question as to whether he has a top-six upside because he didn’t get a ton of ice (as a rookie). That would be my only question.”
Nick Suzuki
Owen Sound Attack
Hockeyprospect.com……….#18
NHL Central Scouting………#10 among North American Skaters
ISS…………………………………..#11
McKeen’s………………………..#16
Suzuki has turned into a go-to producer at both ends of the ice for the Owen Sound Attack. The Londoner led the Attack in goals with 45 and finished fifth in league scoring, helping Owen Sound get to the OHL’s Western Conference finals against the Erie Otters. The Attack will very likely be the consensus favourite in the Ontario Hockey League for 2017-18 and Suzuki will be a large reason for it.
What Mark Edwards of Hockeyprospect.com says:
“I think he is one of the smartest players in the draft. His skating isn’t elite, but I think he makes up with it using his smarts… He will wow you with his hockey sense and ability to make people better. He understands where people are going to be and does a great job moving pucks and creating offense.”
Isaac Ratcliffe
Guelph Storm
Hockeyprospect.com……….#13
NHL Central Scouting………#15 among North American Skaters
ISS…………………………………..#22
McKeen’s………………………..#18
It has never been hard to spot Ratcliffe in a crowd. He has always been one of the tallest. The greatest thing about him from a hockey perspective is that he has been blessed with great size and also with great athleticism. The past two years have been tough in Guelph. The Storm have a combined 34 victories in 136 games over the past two seasons. Still, Ratcliffe has posted some impressive stats. He led them in goals with 28 and on a roster where minus-41 did exist, Ratcliffe was a minus-2.
What Mark Edwards of Hockeyprospect.com says:
“He is 6’6 and can skate and shoot and has some creativity. He can move pucks… I really like the high ceiling for him… When I imagine him at ages 23 and 24 after he has filled out that frame with the way he skates and has offensive capabilities, I like what I see.”
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