Gillies has strong base to build on for next season Photo: Providence College goaltender and Calgary Flames prospect Jon Gillies (R) received a good education as the backup to Team USA goaltender John Gibson (L) at the 2013 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) Not many freshmen have a lot of success at the NCAA Division I college hockey level. But Providence College goalie Jon Gillies did more than just have a successful freshman season, as he was one of the best goalies in the country. Several Buffalo Sabres prospects experienced extended post-seasons in 2012-13 Photo: Defenseman Alex Lepkowski had a strong playoff run with the Barrie Colts of the OHL. The 20-year-old was a defensive mainstay for the Colts, who finished one win away from a berth in the 2013 Memorial Cup. (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL images) After finishing last in the Northeast Division for the first time since 2004 and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season, the Buffalo Sabres are hitting the reset button. The first move was saying goodbye to head coach Lindy Ruff after 1,165 games behind the bench, then shipping captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild for two prospects and two picks. Balance and skill of Dallas Stars system evident in prospect awards Photo: Goaltender Jack Campbell put together a strong rookie AHL season playing behind the Texas Stars, which captured the best record in the AHL’s Western Conference during the regular season (courtesy of Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) In the second edition of the Dallas Stars prospect awards we find a repeat winner on the blue line, another Stars prospect graduates into the NHL with a boom, and last year’s breakout prospect becomes this year’s most improved – much to the relief of Stars fans across the globe. Phoenix Coyotes hope late round picks can develop in NCAA and Europe Photo: Finnish forward Alexander Ruuttu has yet to break through in the SM-liiga, but after a mid-season trade from Jokerit to Ilves, he could get a bigger shot in 2013-14 (courtesy of Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images) Thanks to most of their NCAA prospects recently making the jump to professional hockey, the Phoenix Coyotes do not have a large number of European and collegiate prospects. Fortunately for them, the ones they do have continue to get better with each passing season. From adjusting in their freshman seasons to being introduced to the European professional leagues, most of these prospects enjoyed successful seasons in 2012-13. Huberdeau looks like Calder Trophy material in HF’s final 2013 Calder Poll Photo: Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau edged out the Montreal Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher as HF’s pick for NHL Rookie of the Year (courtesy of Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) Hockey's Future polled their staff to find out who their choice was for the 2013 Calder Trophy. As it was last season, when Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog narrowly edged out Edmonton center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, this year's contest came down to two forwards. Emerging crop of forwards and defensemen featured in San Jose Sharks prospects awards Photo: Defenseman Nick Petrecki found his physical game during the 2012-13 season and skated in his first NHL game on January 29, 2013 (courtesy of John Hefti/Icon SMI) The 2012-13 season will go down as a major turning point in the San Jose Sharks prospect pool. Long gone are the days of shallow pools and bleak futures. In fact, if this season was any indication of the growth and development process the Sharks management group has in place, big things could be coming to the Sharks in the coming years. New Jersey Devils top 20 brimming with pro-ready defensemen Photo: Defenseman Jon Merrill remains the top prospect for the New Jersey Devils. Merrill recently signed an NHL contract after playing three years at the University of Michigan. (courtesy of Scott A. Schneider/Getty Images) An important summer approaches for the New Jersey Devils organization. With a plethora of free agents that may or may not be re-signed, the organization may give its minor league and junior prospects an opportunity to crack the NHL lineup. Murphy and Rask remain top prospects for Carolina Hurricanes Photo: Forward Victor Rask split the 2012-13 season between the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL and the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Rask projects to be a second-line forward for the Hurricanes, possibly as soon as next year. (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) Despite lacking a lot of depth and talent, the Carolina Hurricanes organization has top-end prospects in the pipeline, including the offensively talented defenseman Ryan Murphy, and a potential rising offensive star in Victor Rask. There are also several good depth defensemen who, in the near future, could solidify the Carolina blue line. New York Islanders graduate two promising youngsters from the NCAA ranks Photo: Defenseman Robbie Russo had a successful sophomore season with Notre Dame, where he posted five goals and 18 assists through 41 games. (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) The New York Islanders do not have a large quantity of prospects playing at the NCAA level and overseas, but some of these youngsters have a good chance of making a considerable impact with the organization in the 2013-14 season. Skilled forwards and steady defensemen featured in Detroit Red Wings prospect awards Photo: Speedy winger Andreas Athanasiou had a breakout season for the Barrie Colts, leading the team all the way to the OHL finals (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images) Detroit's run through the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs was surprising to many. Perhaps more surprising is depth of talent they have in their pipeline. The Detroit Red Wings boast some exceptional prospects who have the potential to be future stars in the NHL. The following awards feature the Red Wings prospects who stood out above the rest. The fact that no player won multiple awards is indicative of the depth of Detroit's talent pool. |
