Hockey's Future - The #1 Online Prospects Resource

 

Top 20 Overview

 

Previous ranking in parentheses.

 

1. Carlo Colaiacovo, D (1)
2. Alexander Steen, C (2)
3. Kyle Wellwood, C (5)
4. Robert Earl, LW (Not ranked)
5. Ian White, D (6)
6. Jeremy Williams, RW (10)
7. Dimitri Vorobiev, D (20)
8. Brendan Bell, D (3)
9. John Mitchell, C (7)
10. Jean Francois Racine, G (19)
11. Justin Pogge, G (12)
12. Jay Harrison, D (4)
13. Andy Wozniewski, D (Not ranked)
14. Martin Sagat, LW (8)
15. Cam Keith, LW (Not ranked)
16. Nathan Barrett, C (13)
17. Ben Ondrus, LW (Not ranked)
18. Staffan Kronwall, D (11)
19. Todd Ford, G (14)
20. Dominic D’Amour, D (15)

 

Missing the cut: John Doherty, Markus Seikola, Konstantin Volkov, Tyson Marsh

 

1. Carlo Colaiacovo, D – Drafted 17^th Overall – 2001 Entry Draft

 

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Colaiacovo again sits atop the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect rankings and again, he has fallen prey to a fluke injury. He has been a much improved player for St. John’s, impressive since he was the best defenseman on the team last season. He has added the muscle that most felt he needed to compete at the NHL level and has elevated his defensive game as well. When the NHL starts up again, Colaiacovo will soon move to the graduated list as he will go on to a great NHL career.

 

 

2. Alexander Steen, C – Drafted 24^th Overall – 2002 Entry Draft

 

For Steen, another Leaf prospect adversely affected by the lockout, it has been a difficult year. Not in his development or performance, but the sheer numbers game he has faced. When Steen signed with MODO of the SEL in the offseason, many felt it would be a boon to his game, as he would no doubt be given first line minutes on the team. When it was reported that Peter Forsberg would be joining the team, Leaf fans were ecstatic at the notion of the top forward prospect in the Leaf organization getting to play with one of the top forwards Sweden has ever produced, feeling that it would only assist Steen’s development. However, that result has not yet materialized. After Forsberg joined MODO, the Sedin twins also arrived, followed by Mattias Weinhandl and possibly soon, Markus Naslund.

 

What this has meant for Steen is an almost constant struggle for ice time. He has been paired with several different players this season in an effort to find a niche for him. Still, Steen has performed reasonably well given the situation and currently sits sixth on the team in points. It is unclear what the team expects of Steen at this point, but perhaps the one positive Leaf fans can take away from this is that Steen has shown his versatility.

 

 

3. Kyle Wellwood, C – Drafted 134^th Overall – 2001 Entry Draft

 

Kyle Wellwood has made a habit out of being the underdog, but this season has gone a long way towards dispelling that reputation. He has been on a tear this season after being the highest scoring rookie for St. John’s last year. Playing at slightly better then a point a game, Wellwood has been the go-to guy all year. He has led the team in almost every offensive category almost all season, only recently being supplanted in points by David Ling. His 15 goals and +12 continues to lead all St. John’s forwards as he continues to dominate the AHL.

 

While Wellwood has improved on his offensive totals from last season at this point, what is also impressive is his renewed dedication to defense. He no longer works exclusively in the opposition’s end and is seen backchecking more and more. His skating continues to be an area for improvement as does his strength, but he is clearly addressing these issues through hard work and training. While many comparisons have been made about Wellwood, his play is extremely reminiscent of another former Leaf underdog, Yanic Perrault.

 

 

4. Robert Earl, LW – Drafted 187^th Overall – 2004 Entry Draft

 

After an uneven rookie season, Robert Earl has emerged this year as a star for Wisconsin. He currently leads all players in points on the team with 24 in 18 games. Earl’s career as a Leaf has already been one of controversy as his response to falling to the second draft day was colorful to say the least.

 

It seems however, that Earl has taken it upon himself to recognize his deficiencies and work to improve them, which is evidenced by his play so far this season. After having spent a portion of the summer training with Future Hall of Famer Chris Chelios, Earl’s strength and conditioning have really come along way and as a result, so has his consistency. Few doubt Earl’s determination to be an NHL player and should he continue to improve, both he and the Leafs will have the last laugh.

 

 

5. Ian White, D – Drafted 191^st Overall – 2002 Entry Draft

 

Put simply, White is a great player who has played well beyond his size of 5’10. His first season in the AHL has shown this to be true. It was clear to many that White had great offensive skills even before he put on the Baby Leafs jersey, after putting those skills on display at the 2004 WJC. What is becoming increasingly clear is that White’s defensive game is just as refined as his offensive game. He plays the puck or the body in the defensive zone depending on how he sees the play developing, which speaks to his overall hockey sense as well as positioning. He currently leads all St. John’s rookies in plus/minus and sits second among defensemen in assists.

 

So far this season, White has earned top 4 minutes in St. John’s and since Colaiacovo’s injury, has taken the reigns on the power play as well. He frequently sees ice time on the penalty kill as well. Given his performance and obvious skills, the only question as to whether or not White will be able to maintain his performance at the NHL level is based on his size. At this point, only time will tell whether White can rise above his size at the NHL level, or is he is destined to join the long list of players who could not.

 

 

6. Jeremy Williams, RW – Drafted 220^th Overall – 2003 Entry Draft

 

After a slow start to his professional career, Williams seems to be settling in to his role with St. John’s fairly well. Originally drafted as a centerman, his transition to the wing has agreed with him as he had an even better season in 2003-04 than in 2002-03. It was surprising therefore, that given this, Williams started the season on the rock at center, especially when considering the high volume of centermen in the Leafs system and the lack of right wingers. For most of the season Williams has played a second or third line center role while he worked on his defensive game. He has seen minimal power play and penalty kill time as well.

 

Over the past few games, however, Williams seems to have found himself back on the wing, often flanking Matt Stajan. This has led to improved performance, along with an increase in his ice time. He has not yet established himself as a regular goal scorer for St. John’s, but he has shown a promising start to his professional career.

 

 

7. Dimitri Vorobiev, D – Drafted 157^th Overall – 2004 Entry Draft

 

Vorobiev started this season as a virtual unknown among the Leaf prospects after having a respectable first season in the Russian Super League. Due to concerns about his conditioning arose after coming into the draft combine 10 pounds overweight, as well as reviews of him not having any particular standout skills, Vorobiev quietly dropped to the lower rounds of the draft.

 

This season Vorobiev has really come out of his shell. He has put his defensive skills on display in the RSL as well as the WJC, commonly being put on the top-pairing defense. He uses his size and mobility to create turnovers, while at the same time mindful of his positioning. He’s played a physical game, but has not played with reckless abandon, thus his penalty totals have been kept low. However, the most surprising aspect of his game is his offensive skills. The WJC has shown that he will join a rush to get a scoring chance and several have seen his hard, low, accurate shot.

 

Vorobiev while once projected as a depth defenseman, now projects as a possible top 4 defenseman.

 

 

8. Brendan Bell, D – Drafted 65^th Overall – 2001 Entry Draft

 

After a disappointing first season in St. John’s, Bell has rebounded with a strong overall performance in his second season. At the beginning of the year, Bell felt as though he was unprepared for the rigors of the AHL and considered it a learning experience for him. With his newfound respect for the league in hand, Bell has worked very hard to improve his overall play and regain the confidence of Leaf management. The huge strides he has made in his defensive game have resulted in a +10 for the season thus far, which is a far cry from the –16 that he finished with last season. His offensive game has come along as well as he is threatening to eclipse his totals of last season before the halfway point of the season.

 

However, with the injury to Colaiacovo, Bell was expected to elevate his game like the other defenders. Bell and company (except for Ian White) seemed less then equal to the task initially and St. John’s struggled without their anchor on the defense corps. However as time has gone on, the St. John’s defense seems to be becoming accustomed to the lack of Colaiacovo and has picked up its play as of late. Bell has picked up his play along with them and is again on his way to establishing himself as a contender for a roster spot on the blueline in Toronto.

 

 

9. John Mitchell, C – Drafted 158^th Overall – 2003 Entry Draft

 

Mitchell did not start his last season in junior as he had hoped, suffering a training camp injury that kept him out of the lineup for most of camp and the first few games of the season. The injury resulted in a slow start for the Leafs pivot as he struggled to get his game going early on. The past couple of months have shown the real John Mitchell as he has once again taken the reigns in Plymouth as the teams first line center.

 

Scoring 29 points over his past 19 games (10 goals, 19 assists), Mitchell has displayed all the traits and tenacity that he is known for and has worked extremely hard to get back into form.

 

 

 

10. Jean Francois Racine, G – Drafted 90^th Overall – 2000 Entry Draft

 

Racine has had an up and down year this season, literally. After the release of former Leaf prospects Sebastien Centomo (CAL) and Jamie Hodson this off season, many felt it was all but certain Racine would get the backup job behind Mikael Tellqvist in St. John’s. At the start of the season, those predictions were confirmed. However, only a few games into the season, Tellqvist suffered a concussion and Racine was pushed into service. At that time, he had only played one forgettable game in which he had let in 5 goals. With the injury to Tellqvist, Racine stepped up his play. Over the next several games, he did the job and helped St. John’s continue their great start to the season. This seemed to solidify Racine’s role as the backup goalie on the rock. Which made the next move so puzzling.

 

Enter J.S. Aubin. The former Penguins goaltender, who signed a PTO contract with St. John’s on November 13th, supplanted Racine for the back up role. Shortly after Aubin joined the fray, Racine was sent to Memphis of the CHL after performing so well in the AHL. Reports out of St. John’s said that the reasoning behind it was to encourage Racine’s development by giving him first string minutes on a CHL team instead of backup duty on the rock. After two strong seasons in the CHL already, Racine returned to the CHL and has struggled, winning only 4 of 8 with a 3.86 GAA.

 

 

 

11. Justin Pogge, G – Drafted 90^th Overall – 2004 Entry Draft

 

Consistency has been the struggle for Pogge this season, his first as a starter for Prince George in the WHL. After a strong performance last season for the young Cougars, Pogge has not had as good a sophomore season and many had hoped. His lateral movement has improved from last season, but at the same time he has let his share of soft goals get past him. While he is still very young and likely to improve, Pogge has not had the breakout year that many were hoping for. What’s more, Pogge’s rookie backup, Real Cyr, looks to be threatening to overtake Pogge for the starting job.

 

It will be interesting to see how Pogge handles the competition over the rest of the season. This situation is similar to last season when Pogge outplayed fellow Leaf prospect Todd Ford, only this time, the skate is on the other foot.

 

 

12. Jay Harrison, D – Drafted 82^nd Overall – 2001 Entry Draft

 

It has been another rough year for Jay Harrison. After a disappointing season last year, many were hopeful that Harrison would rebound from his poor showing and get back to his solid play of two years ago. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for him. He has run into some injury trouble this season, which has limited him to only 15 games played. In those games however, Harrison has looked awkward and ineffective. It is difficult to say how much of his play has been a result of being on and off again due to injury, but given that he is in his last year of an entry level contract, his play so far this season does not bode well for his future with the Leafs.

 

 

 

13. Andy Wozniewski, D – Signed by Toronto – April, 2004

 

After four years at Wisconsin, Andy Wozniewski joined St. John’s for the final three games last season and did not impress. However, from the beginning if camp, he seemed to have a renewed vigor that has carried him through to this point in the season. In many ways, what was expected of Jay Harrison this season has been taken up by newcomer Wozniewski. Before a recent injury, “Woz” was playing the same brand of tough, physical hockey that the Leafs signed him for earlier this year. He has been a rock on the rock this season, adding a familiar dimension to the Baby Leafs roster.

 

Not known for his offensive abilities, Wozniewski has been reliable and solid, while staying away from the penalty box. Regularly paired with Colaiacovo on the top 2 pairings, Wozniewski has established a definite top-4 role with club already in his first season.

 

 

 

14. Martin Sagat, LW – Drafted 91^st Overall – 2003 Entry Draft

 

Much was expected of Sagat in his final year of junior after having a good first year playing the North American game last season. However, he has not lived up to expectations this season. Sagat has simply been unable to generate any regular offensive output on Kootenay. His physical play has been there for the most part, but without better offensive production, it is getting more and more difficult to see him as anything more then a fourth liner at this point.

 

Sagat still has half a season to pick up his game. The departure of Kootenay star Nigel Dawes to the WJC has helped Sagat with his ice time and he has shown a bit more jump as of late. If Sagat can finally find his regular game, he can help Kootenay get back to the winning ways they saw last season.

 

 

 

15. Cam Keith, LW – Signed by Toronto – August 2004

 

Keith has not had an illustrious start to his pro career, but his style of play throughout his career has never been one with much glamor. Keith is a grinder, a digger and checker, a tireless worker who has gotten as far as he has through sheer grit and determination. Due to a glut of energy players like Keith on the St. John’s roster, Keith began the season in the ECHL, playing for the Leafs new AA affiliate, Pensacola. After a quick start to the season in which Keith was a regular offensive contributor, his production has dwindled a bit over the last few games. What has not lessened is Keith’s work ethic as he still puts forth a solid effort every night and rarely is seen taking a shift off.

 

Keith is taking the slow road to the NHL, if it is in the cards for him to make it. He is clearly working on his defensive game still, which is paramount to his chances of making the NHL. Still, Keith is the type of player that all teams like to have, a big, hard-working forechecker.

 

 

16. Nathan Barrett, C – Signed by Toronto – July 2002

 

Barrett has had another tumultuous season with the Baby Leafs thus far. His entire career with the team has been a positive one as a regular contributor on a scoring line. His size at 5’11has always been a concern for him, but his skills have been quite impressive. His oft-injured status have caused some to question whether he can stand the physical rigors of NHL duty, and some have wondered if he hasn’t peaked in his development.

 

 

 

17. Ben Ondrus, LW – Signed by Toronto - Summer 2003.

 

If there were a way to measure heart, Ondrus would be ranked high on the list. Not blessed with great hands or finishing skills, Ondrus has the intangible qualities that tend to give players letters on the front of their jerseys. So far this season, Ondrus has been a sparkplug. His strong and fast forechecking have helped give the Baby Leafs one of the best third lines in the league. Centered by Clarke Wilm with Jason Macdonald on the right side, Ondrus is a very entertaining player to watch. It does not seem to matter who he is up against, his goal is to force a turnover.

 

Ondrus will continue to be an energy player for St. John’s this season and work on his game. He is already good defensively, although not quite NHL good yet. Given his determination and work ethic, he’s as good a bet to the make the NHL as any.

 

 

18. Staffan Kronwall, D – Drafted 285^th Overall – 2002 Entry Draft

 

Kronwall has been a defensive stalwart for Djurgarden for the past three years and has been continuing that again this season. His offensive totals are still down, although they were never thought to be his strength. Still, his strong reliable presence on the blueline has been most welcome this season as the SEL has become even more competitive due to the amount of NHL talent that is now throughout the league.

 

 

19. Todd Ford, G – Drafted 74^th Overall – 2002 Entry Draft

 

Ford began this season in Pensacola in a backup role to veteran Frederic Cloutier. Not much had been expected of him as he was considered a project since his draft day. His professional debut has been fantastic thus far and he may even supplant Cloutier for the starting role with Pensacola this season. Through 10 games this season, Ford has yet to lose and has posted a 1.66 GAA and .948 save percentage for the Ice Pilots.

 

Ford’s tremendous play has helped the Ice Pilots take first place in their conference and he shows no signs of slowing down. While former AA Leaf goaltending graduates J.F. Racine and Sebastien Centomo were also great at that level, none had as unprecedented a start as Ford.

 

 

20. Dominic D’Amour, D – Drafted 88^th Overall – 2002 Entry Draft

 

D’Amour’s first pro season has been less then many Leaf fans hoped for as he has toiled between St. John’s and Pensacola this season, not making much of a mark in either place. After his last season in the “Q”, it was felt that D’Amour could challenge for a roster spot on the rock. After a poor showing at the Baby Leafs camp, D’Amour was sent to Pensacola to gain more ice time in an effort to refine his game. That refinement has not come as quickly as several other first year pros has and D’Amour may find himself up and down as needed the rest of the season because of that.

 

 

 

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