With draft season almost here, it’s time to get to know Michigan’s top ’99 birth-year players
By Matt Mackinder –
When the annual Ontario Hockey League draft kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, a total of 300 players will get selected in the 15-round draft.
Then in May, those same players will be eligible for the USHL Draft, which takes place on May 4.
Several players taken will be from Michigan youth teams and they will then weigh the options of the never-ending struggle for 16-year-old talented hockey players – major junior hockey or the NCAA.
For the OHL draft, the new Flint Firebirds have the third pick overall in the first round, while the Saginaw Spirit pick sixth.
OHL Midwest U.S. scout Kevin Hess recently sat down with MiHockey to assess who he feels are the top Michigan players born in 1999 for this year’s upcoming drafts.
You can follow the OHL Priority Selection on its official website starting at 9 a.m. on April 11. The USHL Draft, which is divided into two days, begins on May 4 – players and parents can find more information here.
(Players listed in alphabetical order)
Cameron Babiak, D, HoneyBaked U16
“Right-shot defenseman that defends well in his own zone and takes away an opponent’s time and space quickly. Distributes the puck well.”
Luke Boka, F, Victory Honda U16
“He has a heavy shot with a good release. Has good set of puck skills that allow his to create time and space for himself and teammates. Is very patient with the puck and waits for the defender/goalie to make the first move. He sees the ice well and makes some good plays when there seems to be nothing there.”
Wyatt Bongiovanni, F, HoneyBaked U16
“Skilled center who wins a good percentage of his draws. Is very poised and patient with the puck. Gets up to top speed quickly, which gains him separation from defenders. Has a finishing touch around the net.”
Sasha Chmelevski, F, HoneyBaked U16
“Highly-skilled forward that plays with a high compete level. Sees the ice very well and is extremely unselfish with the puck. More of a natural playmaker, but has shown that he can finish his chances. Good two-way forward that can be used in any game situation. Does a lot of small things that at times go unnoticed, but lead to his team earning the win.”
Logan Cockerill, F, Belle Tire U16
“Smooth-skating winner with high-end 1-on-1 skill. Cockerill is the type of player that can create something out of nothing. He makes everyone who is on the ice with him a scoring threat.”
Drew Hunter, D, Oakland Grizzlies U16
“Two-way defenseman with intriguing upside. Is a good decision maker, especially under pressure. He moves the puck up ice quickly, but has to improve his outlet passes. He likes to activate and join the rush whenever possible.”
Kyle Keyser, G, Victory Honda U16
“Very good goaltender who does what every team is looking for – he makes the saves you should make and then the big save when his team needs it the most. He moves fairly well in his crease, but there is room for improvement. He does a good job of squaring up to the puck, both in the set position as well as moving across his crease. Reads the rush well, doing a good job of challenging to the top of his area taking away the net from the shooter and backing up at the proper speed. Keyser competes at a high level, fighting to find the puck through screens and tracking it in to make the save. He is very diligent about not giving up many, if any, second-chance attempts.”
Vanya Lodnia, F, HoneyBaked U16
“Smooth, almost effortless skater, whose stride eats up ice. Possesses very good skill and has the ability to control the pace of the game. Makes everyone on the ice with him a better player. Does a great job of fighting to get to open ice. Has an ultra-quick release to his shot.”
Tommy Miller, D, Victory Honda U18
“Good skater with good four-way mobility. Gaps up well on his 1-on-1s, driving the man wide and then taking the puck away. Possesses good offensive instincts. Distributes the puck well and reads when and where to jump into the offense.”
Andy Nedeljkovic, F, Victory Honda U16
“A prospect with intriguing upside. He is a good up and down the ice skater with good speed. He competes at an extremely high level. He provides his club with good energy as he finishes his checks and sticks up for his teammates. Goes to the net with a purpose and is simply just nasty to play against. Heavy shot that he does a good job of taking while in stride.”
Michael Pastujov, F, HoneyBaked U16
“Good skater with high-end skill. Pastujov was injured a majority of the season, returning in January from a shoulder injury. He does a very good job of using his speed and skill to create time and space for everyone on the ice. He has a good shot with a great release. He has shown the knack since coming back from injury to score big goals at the most crucial times. Sees the ice very well and does a nice job of putting passes not only tape to tape, but to areas that only his teammates can get the puck.”
Dylan St. Cyr, G, HoneyBaked U16
“Smaller goaltender who thrives under pressure. Possesses high hockey IQ. Very good skater in and around his net. Challenges to the top of the crease and has the lateral movement to get back to his posts to square up and make the save. Plays the puck like a third defenseman.”
Brenden Stanko, F, Belle Tire U16
“Hard-working forward that competes at a high level. He finishes checks, drives to the net hard and is just plain out difficult to play against. Has a scoring touch around the net.”
Jack Studnicka, F, Belle Tire U16
“Has very good skill in open space ice areas. Has multiple shot types that have good velocity and are very accurate. Wins a good percentage of his battles for loose pucks. Does not mind the physical side of the game as he gives as well as takes checks.”