15. (NR) D Luca Marrelli 6'2", 185 pounds. 3rd round (#86 overall), 2024 NHL Draft. Projection: bottom-four offensive defenseman. Stats: 6g-51a-57pts, 67gp for Oshawa (OHL). Will return to the Oshawa Generals next season. How we ranked him: Curtis (15), Matt (17), Mike (12)
Why we ranked him here: The first newcomer from the 2024 draft to crack our list, Marrelli put up huge numbers on an offensive powerhouse junior team this year.
His combination of size, skating, and puck moving make him a potential steal from this most recent draft. He's overall game will need some polish, but all of the defensive zone tools are there as well. I will be interested to see how he does back in junior this year, with a returning team that will probably not be as good.
14. (6) D Corson Ceulemans 6’2″, 200 pounds. 1st round (#25 overall), 2021 NHL Draft. Projection: bottom four two-way defenseman. Stats: 3g-9a-12pts, 47gp for Cleveland (OHL). Will return to the Monsters next season. How we ranked him: Curtis (14), Matt (12), Mike (15)
Why we ranked him here: At one point in the not-so-distant past, Ceulemans was one of the highest ranked defensemen in the prospect pool. But his first full year at the professional level did not go well at all.
He's far from a lost cause. He can skate, and has good offensive traits. And, as we all know, defensemen develop at wildly different rates. But, this next season is crucial for him. He has to re-establish himself as a top prospect for the Blue Jackets if he's going to play in the NHL here. If he can't do that, well, the team just drafted several players who could fill his niche within the system rather quickly.