3. (3) C Gavin Brindley 5’9″, 170 pounds. 2nd round (#34 overall), 2023 NHL Draft. Projection: middle-six two-way forward. Stats: 25g-28a-53pts, 40gp for the University of Michigan (NCAA). Turned pro at the end of his sophomore year; will play in Cleveland or Columbus next season. How we ranked him: Curtis (3), Matt (3), Mike (3)
Why we ranked him here: Electrifying. That's the one adjective I would use to describe Gavin Brindley. He buzzes around the ice, going to the toughest areas in spite of his smaller stature. Surprisingly, he comes out of most battles with the puck on his stick.
He's creative with the puck, able to dish out passes; and he also has a terrific shot that he gets off in a hurry. His energy and all-around game makes him easily projectable as a second or third line forward in the NHL. He can play center, but I think he's more likely a winger that can fill in down the middle as needed.
Years ago, I saw 17 year old Tyler Johnson come into the WHL as an undersized center with a lot of these attributes. I see a lot of the same qualities in Gavin Brindley - if he can become that kind of player for the Blue Jackets, we'll be very happy to have him.
2. (1) D Denton Mateychuk 5’11”, 190 pounds. 1st round (#12 overall), 2022 NHL Draft. Projection: top-four puck-moving defenseman. Stats: 17g-58a-75pts, 52gp for Moose Jaw (WHL). Turned pro at the end of his CHL season; will play in Cleveland or Columbus next season. How we ranked him: Curtis (2), Matt (2), Mike (2)
Why we ranked him here: Mateychuk is one of the top defense prospects in hockey. As captain of the Warriors this season, he took home the Bill Hunter Trophy as WHL defenseman of the year. He finished third in the league in scoring by defensemen, in spite of playing 13 ang 14 fewer games than the two players ahead of him.
He starred for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships; then returned to lead his Warriors to a WHL Title, taking home MVP honors after finishing second in the enitre league in playoff scoring - just two points behind teammate Jagger Firkus. Denton was just too good for the WHL this season.
If that wasn't enough, after heading to Cleveland, he quickly established himself in a key role for the Monsters in their run through the AHL playoffs. Mateychuk is a one-man breakout, able to turn and pivot with the puck on his stick, finding his way out of pressure and up the ice. He skates and dishes out passes at an elite level; and has a knack for joining the rush in key moments. I think he's going to be a 15 year NHL player, who will put up a lot of points in this league.