
Photo: London Knights forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mitch Marner is currently the leading scorer at the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup Tournament, posting 13 points in just three games (courtesy of Rob Wallator/CHL Images)
Throughout this season, Prospect Impressions has been the home to a number of fantastic plays made by some of the brightest young hockey stars in the world. With last week’s special goaltending issue, we saw some of the best saves of the year. Now, it’s the skaters turn to strut their stuff.
In this first edition of a four-part series, we count down the Top 20 highlights of the season. Who do you think will end up number one?
Honorable Mention: John Scott
The fans wanted him in, the players wanted him in, but NHL executives fought it all the way until the end. Eventually, fan favorite John Scott set foot on the Bridgestone Arena ice for the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend and made a lasting impression on everyone. Known for his pugilist tendencies, Scott earned an invitation from fan voting. Despite the NHL’s attempt to keep him out through an AHL assignment and subsequent trade between Arizona and Montreal, Scott was embraced by his peers and attended the event anyway.
The story took an interesting turn when Scott took advantage of the new three-on-three format and snuck down the ice for a breakaway opportunity. He wasted no time putting it home, and eventually won the All-Star Game MVP Award. As a reward for winning MVP, he recently picked up a brand new minivan, which will certainly come in handy for his new twin girls!
John Scott on a breakaway. No mistake. #NHLAllStarhttps://t.co/f6GSf8fCVQ
— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) February 1, 2016
John Scott. MVP. pic.twitter.com/dcaS3LsKtP
— Hockey 360 (@hockey360) February 1, 2016
Confirmed: #NHLAllStar MVP John Scott picked up his new @Honda wheels and can now cruise around with his twins. pic.twitter.com/FWfJAXcG2O
— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) April 22, 2016
20. John Gruden
Rochester, MI native John Gruden played last season in the storied Honeybaked U16 program that has churned out a number of alumni, most notably Ryan Kesler, Tim Gleason, and David Booth. Gruden scored 16 times this season, and this one was definitely his best.
Gruden will head to the U.S. NTDP junior program next season. His future has yet to be decided, as he has a verbal commitment to play for Miami University in Ohio. That said, Gruden was recently selected by the perennial powerhouse London Knights program in the OHL. Regardless of where he ends up, we could be seeing him in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
OHLDraft eligible John Gruden goes forehand-backhand-back between legs for a goal, and makes it look too easy pic.twitter.com/2ZfK1205Im
— Andrew Sykes (@ASykes_7) April 2, 2016
Johnny Gruden (Detroit Honeybaked) has committed to Miami University for 2019-2020 @MiamiOH_Hockey @jgruden17
— Hockey Commitments (@hockeycommits) September 1, 2015
The London Knights welcome @jgruden17 (Jonathan Gruden) to the organization #OHLDraft pic.twitter.com/H3M1UE3pyw
— London Knights (@GoLondonKnights) April 9, 2016
19. Sam Bennett
We’re only scratching the surface of what Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett can do. The former Kingston Frontenacs forward was a prolific scorer in the OHL, and put together a very respectable season in his first full campaign in the NHL. Bennett scored 18 goals this year, with a remarkable four of them coming in one game against the Florida Panthers.
Bennett etched a place in the history books for himself, becoming the first Flames player since Jarome Iginla to score four times in one game in a Flames jersey. He also was the youngest to achieve that feat. Not only were the four goals impressive, his fourth was a fine effort that finds it’s way onto our Top-20 list.
Not only did @SBennett93 score four goals, he also saved the best for last.https://t.co/IpWD9ai6EH
— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) January 14, 2016
Sam Bennett is first @NHLFlames player to register a 4-goal game since J. Iginla (Feb. 23, 2003 at PHX) @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/oYrAcaW8gz
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 14, 2016
18. Colton Parayko
The St. Louis Blues struck gold when they selected 6’5″, 215-pound defenseman Colton Parayko from the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL. His speed, shot, and playmaking are off the charts for a player of his size, and in this game against the Calgary Flames, the Alberta native produced something special to remember for a while to come.
It is not often that a player his size dangles around the opposition, but add in the element of passing to yourself, and then roofing a complicated backhand, and you have a recipe for a top play.
are you kidding me with this Parayko pic.twitter.com/DJ11UPsXMJ
— Stephanie (@myregularface) December 19, 2015
What a move, what a goal by Colton Parayko. That kid’s a keeper.
— Tradeblocked (@Bluely_Noted) December 19, 2015
17. Travis Konecny
Philadelphia Flyers prospect Travis Konecny experienced the first trade of his career when he was part of a major deadline deal between the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s and Sarnia Sting. Joining his new club in Sarnia, Konecny’s first weekend in with that club couldn’t have been any better.
Coming off a hat trick in his first game with the organization, Konecny followed that up by scoring an elite-level shootout goal to secure the win for the Sting. He finished the regular season with 23 goals and 33 assists with Sarnia alone, good for 101 points. Konecny almost made the Flyers out of training camp last year, and if he continues to display skills like this, he will have a good shot next season.
Flyers prospect Travis Konecny scores ridiculous shootout goal vs Saginaw Spirit in the OHL… pic.twitter.com/vvi39wxMp5
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) January 10, 2016
16. Mitch Marner
The Toronto Maple Leafs picked a good one when they selected Mitch Marner fourth overall last summer. Since then, all Marner has done has amassed 300 points in the regular season and playoffs combined, guided the London Knights to an OHL Championship, and won the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player. The accolades could continue to roll in if the Knights can win the Memorial Cup, too.
At this point in Marner’s career, there is not much left to prove in junior hockey. Adding to his own personal highlight reel, Marner carved up the Niagara IceDogs defense with a filthy kick deke and then finished it off with a creative dance around the goaltender.
Mitch Marner what a goal https://t.co/lcGMLHuOHf
— Hockey Central (@HockeyCentraI) February 13, 2016
I think I’ve watched that Mitch Marner highlight nearly 100 times.
— Hunter Crowther (@HunterCrowther) February 13, 2016
Stay tuned for the next set of highlights next week, right here at Prospect Impressions!
1 – 5 | 6 – 10 | 11 – 15 | 16 – 20 | Saves
Follow Dave Hahn on Twitter via @DHahnHockey