Too Young
While a few very young players have been mixed in with some of the other sections, the players in this category aren't untouchable because of their current talent or projections, but just because they're still so early and unproven in their development.
All five of these players were taken in the past two drafts and have been promoted or switched teams, which can make it relatively hard to track year-over-year progression. With not a lot to go off of here, I would imagine these guys are likely off the books, and probably don't have a ton of interest, either.
Tanner Henricks
A prospect that I have come to like, Tanner Henricks was drafted in the fourth round out of the USHL after more than tripling his point total between seasons in just one extra game. Henricks is 6'4 and 205 pounds, and is a surprisingly good skater with solid puck-handling skill as well.
He joined St. Cloud State University this year to start his college hockey career, but his season was cut short after a hit from his brother led to a lower-body injury that required surgery. He scored three goals and six points in just 14 games, but earned the trust of his coaches enough to be placed on the top pairing and first power play unit before the injury.
Luke Ashton
Taken two rounds after Henricks, Luke Ashton similarly had a massive jump in production during his draft year, going from four to 36 points in two seasons in the BCHL. Ashton stands at 6'6 and 240 pounds, as he stands out whenever he takes the ice.
Two seasons with two different teams in the NCAA have produced 24 points in 72 games so far, and he plays a solid defensive game predictably focused around his physicality, which he uses to create turnovers and win puck battles.
Malte Vass
Perhaps my favorite pick of the draft, Malte Vass is a shutdown defenseman with fantastic fundamentals across the board. Drafted in the third round in this past draft after serving as an alternate captain in the Swedish U20 league, Vass' defensive strength earned him 5 games in Sweden's top pro league, the SHL.
Interestingly, Vass decided to play college hockey this season, likely wanting to adjust to the North American game. Unfortunately, he got buried on a struggling Boston University team and scored just three assists in 22 games with limited minutes.
Some reports indicate that Vass is committed to the University of New Hampshire for this next season, which I think is a good move considering the lack of opportunity this past year. I really think that he can be a future shutdown defender for the Jackets, and I will definitely be keeping a close eye on him as he hopefully earns more time to develop with a new team.
Victor Raftheim-Hedin
Another Swedish defender taken later in the same draft, Victor Raftheim-Hedin is a big, athletic player who likes to join the rush in the offensive zone. He split time between his U20 team and the SHL this year, although he went scoreless in all 28 with the pro club.
Regardless, 28 games in arguably one of the best pro hockey leagues in the world is a good sign of his development, and perhaps a full-time role in the SHL this year will result in more tangible production.
Jeremy Loranger
A seventh-rounder also in this past draft, Jeremy Loranger is a pure scorer. He scored a whopping 40 goals and 105 points in 54 games in the BCHL, and played for the University of Nebraska-Omaha this past year, scoring 19 points in 28 games.
Loranger is small and would definitely play on the wing, but he is very active and aggressive both with and without the puck. He has a well-rounded offensive game and has great vision combined with high confidence that leads to some great plays.
Add us as a preferred source on Google