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Flames Top 20 prospects
Written by: HF Staff on 11/19/2005 
Top 20 at a Glance
1. Dion Phaneuf, D
2. Kris Chucko, LW
3. Eric Nystrom, LW
4. Dustin Boyd, C
5. Brent Krahn, G
6. Matt Pelech, D
7. Tim Ramholt, D
8. Brandon Prust, C
9. Dan Ryder, C
10. Matt Keetley, G
11. Yuri Trubachev, C
12. Aki Seitsonen, C
13. Curtis McElhinney, G
14. Andrei Taratukhin, C
15. Richie Regehr, D
16. Gord Baldwin, D
17. David Van der Gulik, F
18. Tyler Johnson, C
19. Kris Hogg, LW
20. Tomi Maki, RW
1. (1) Dion Phaneuf, Defense
Height: 6'2, Weight: 200 lbs., Current team: Calgary Flames (NHL)
In a year where Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin have stolen most of the attention, rookie Dion Phaneuf is more quietly proving his worth as a full-time member of the Calgary Flames. A standout blueliner with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, Phaneuf was also an integral member of Canada's gold medal winning team at the 2005 World Junior Championships. He was named the top defenseman of the tournament and was also named to the media all-star team. Known as a tough, hard-hitting defender, Phaneuf has gotten off to a good start offensively as well, in a tie for fourth on the Flames in scoring with 14 points in 22 games. His strong debut has not gone unnoticed, he is on team Canada's long list for the 2006 Olympics and is the youngest defenseman on the list. Phaneuf should be a mainstay on the Flames for years to come.
2. (2) Kris Chucko, Left Wing
Height: 6'2, Weight: 190 lbs., Current team: University of Minnesota (NCAA)
A freshman at the University of Minnesota in 2004-05, Kris Chucko led Gophers rookies in scoring with 10 goals and 21 points and was the only freshman to play in all 44 games. A physical power forward with good playmaking skills, Chucko is good at driving to the net and can deliver big hits. He is now in his sophomore year and has six points in 15 games. It is 2006 eligible freshman Phil Kessel who leads the team in scoring.
3. (6) Eric Nystrom, Left Wing
Height: 6'1, Weight: 195 lbs., Current team: Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL)
In 2004-05, his senior year at the University of Michigan, Eric Nystrom had his best season offensively with 13 goals and 32 points in 38 games. The 22-year-old logged two games with the Flames this season, though has spent the rest of his time with the AHL Knights with six points in 16 games. His +1 leads the team. An aggressive two-way player, Nystrom also possesses good hockey sense and a good attitude. If he shows consistency, the 2002 first rounder may grab another chance at the NHL level later in the year.
4. (5) Dustin Boyd, Center
Height: 6'0, Weight: 186 lbs., Current team: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
After displaying strong offensive abilities through the minor ranks in Manitoba, Dustin Boyd has showcased his talents in the last few years with the Moose Jaw Warriors. He was second on the team in scoring in 2004-05, behind Florida prospect Kenndal McArdle. This season he is second in the WHL scoring race behind teammate and Chicago prospect Troy Brouwer with 22 goals and 36 points in 23 games. With the offensive side of his game picking up, his stock with the Flames should rise.
5. (4) Brent Krahn, Goaltender
Height: 6'4, Weight: 211 lbs., Current team: Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL)
Seen as the Flames goaltender of the future, Brent Krahn is coming off a stellar season with the Lowell Lock Monsters in 2004-05. In 35 games he had 20 wins, a .923 save percentage and six shutouts. This season he is just 5-5-2 with a .907 save percentage in Omaha. Tall at 6'4, the former first round pick is hardworking between the pipes, makes smart decisions and stays cool under pressure. At 23 years of age, he'll likely get a chance at some NHL games in the near future when a spot opens up due to injuries.
6. (NR) Matt Pelech, Defense
Height: 6'3, Weight: 220 lbs., Current team: Sarnia Sting (OHL)
After a shortened season in 2004-05 due to a broken jaw (twice), Matt Pelech returned to the Sarnia Sting this season looking to rebound from his injuries. A defenseman with good size and work ethic, Pelech is -6 and has only two assists in 17 games so far. A first round pick in 2005, he will be looked upon to put up bigger numbers and use his body more effectively.
7. (3) Tim Ramholt, Defense
Height: 6'1, Weight: 195 lbs., Current team: Kloten (Swiss)
Tim Ramholt drops in the Flames' prospect rankings, failing to make progress towards the NHL. Ramholt played 51 games in 2003-04 with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL, where he made a strong showing scoring nine goals and 36 points in 51 games. He returned to his native Switzerland the next season and has remained there since. The former second round pick's future will depend on if the Flames can get him to return to North America.
8. (10) Brandon Prust, Center
Height: 5'11, Weight: 191 lbs., Current team: Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL)
A member of the 2005 Memorial Cup winning London Knights, Brandon Prust had three goals, eight points and 71 penalty minutes in 15 playoff games for the Knights, on top of 30 points in 48 games and 174 penalty minutes during the regular season. Someone who gives it his all every night on the ice, Prust will do whatever he can to help out his team and possesses the heart and desire that is welcomed at the next level. He is a rookie with Omaha this season, and has four points in 18 games, along with 70 penalty minutes, thus far. He is -1 on a generally minus team.
9. (NR) Dan Ryder, Center
Height: 5'10, Weight: 193 lbs., Current team: Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Younger brother of the Montreal Canadiens Michael Ryder, Dan has proven his worth all on his own. Last season he tied Edmonton prospect Liam Reddox for the lead in scoring on the Peterborough Petes with 82 points in 68 games. This season he sits at the top on his own with 13 goals and 30 points in 19 games. Noticed for his natural ability on the ice, Ryder has shown consistency defensively and has been a fixture on the penalty kill for the Petes. Paired with good puckhandling skills and his hard work on the ice, the 2005 third rounder has a shot if he works on his size and strength and continues to impress.
10. (NR) Matt Keetley, Goaltender
Height: 6'0, Weight: 165 lbs., Current team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Starting the 2004-05 season as a backup, Matt Keetley was given the chance to take the starting role in Medicine Hat after Kevin Nastiuk's play dropped off and he had an injury. Keetley did not disappoint, winning 21 games in 32 starts, posting a 1.66 goals against average and six shutouts. Keetley has displayed poise under pressure and his numbers speak for themselves. The 2005 fifth round pick has gotten off to a strong start in 2005-06 with a .930 save percentage, 1.73 goals against average, 16-2-0 record and two shutouts in 22 games.
11. (8) Yuri Trubachev, Center
Height: 5'9, Weight: 182 lbs., Current team: Cherepovets Severstal (Russia)
Playing with Cherepovets Severstal in Russia, Yuri Trubachev has not seen as much ice time as he might in North America. He has shown improvement in his defensive awareness of the game over the past few years and he is a good skater who displays intelligence on the ice. He scoring rate is down this year, with only six points in 20 games, compared to 26 points in 59 games last year. Trubachev needs to increase his production in a big way to compensate for his small stature.
12. (9) Aki Seitsonen, Center
Height: 6'2, Weight: 190 lbs., Current team: Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
After a less than stellar debut in the North America, Aki Seitsonen raised his game in 2004-05 with 24 goals and 52 points in 67 games, making him the leading scorer on the Prince Albert Raiders. This season he has 13 points in 21 games, just two off the team lead, and he is a -3. Seitsonen is a smart, hard working player.
13. (16) Curtis McElhinney, Goaltender
Height: 6'2, Weight: 195 lbs., Current team: Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL)
A graduate of Colorado College, Curtis McElhinney made the jump to the AHL this season with the Knights. In nine games he has two wins, a 2.25 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. He has outperformed partner Brent Krahn in the early going. The former sixth rounder's senior year in Colorado was a very good showing as well, with 21 wins in 25 games, a .927 save percentage, a 2.09 goals against average and two shutouts.
14. (11) Andrei Taratukhin, Center
Height: 6'0, Weight: 198 lbs., Current team: Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (Russia)
Andrei Taratukhin has played in his native Russia his whole life. A former linemate the of Montreal Canadiens Alexander Perezhogin, Taratukhin has been known to make his teammates jobs easier by fighting for the puck and setting them up with good passes. Now playing for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, he has already surpassed his point total of 11 in 54 games last season. In 23 games the 2001 second round pick has five goals and 16 points.
15. (13) Richie Regehr, Defense
Height: 6'0, Weight: 202 lbs., Current team: Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL)
The younger brother of Flames assistant captain Robyn Regehr, Richie is known more for his offensive abilities. A good skater with a strong shot, he has 10 points in 18 games with Omaha in his second AHL season. He is fourth on the team in scoring and is even.
16. (NR) Gord Baldwin, Defense
Height: 6'5, Weight: 195 lbs., Current team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
As a rookie with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2004-05, Gord Baldwin didn't see a lot of ice time until the end of the season. When he did play he made it count, showing he could win battles in the corners and in front of the net. Baldwin plays tough and will be even tougher and stronger by adding pounds to his frame, something that will be crucial to his future. The 2005 third round pick has almost matched his point total from last season already, with nine points in 25 games. He is -1 on the year.
17. (14) David Van der Gulik, Forward
Height: 5'11, Weight: 185 lbs., Current team: Boston University (NCAA)
A senior at Boston University and co-captain of the Terriers, David Van der Gulik has improved on his offensive play during his college years. He has not yet played a game this season yet, however, still out from an inflammation of the pubic bone. Last season he had 31 points in 41 games.
18. (20) Tyler Johnson, Center
Height: 6'0, Weight: 181 lbs., Current team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Johnson signed a rookie contract with the Flames this summer, but was returned to junior. The 2003 sixth rounder enjoyed his most productive season in 2004-05 with the Red Deer Rebels where he had 10 goals and 29 points in 55 games. Now with the Seattle Thunderbirds, he has eight points in 18 games. A prototypical Sutter-type player, Johnson is not known so much for skill, but for grinding, hard work and determination. His future in the NHL might be a long shot, but could become reality if he continues to work hard for it.
19. (19) Kris Hogg, Left Wing
Height: 5'11, Weight: 179 lbs., Current team: Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
Small and speedy, Kris Hogg is in his first season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes after spending three with the Kamloops Blazers. He possesses an accurate shot and was among the scoring leaders on the Blazers last season with 18 goals and 40 points in 68 games. His size, at 5'11 and 179 lbs., could hinder him, but if he works on consistency and strength he could have a shot. He has 13 points in 22 games this season.
20. (NR) Tomi Maki, Right Wing
Height: 5'11, Weight: 192, Current team: Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL)
Maki has been a real surprise this season, second on the Knights in scoring in his first year in North America. The 2001 fourth rounder has six goals and seven assists in 18 games and is -3. He trails only Flames free agent signee Carsen Germyn. Last year in Finland, Maki had only five points in 51 games.
Missing the Cut
Two 2004 free agent signees are performing admirably in Omaha. Defenseman Mark Giordano has 13 points in 18 games in his sophomore season in the AHL. The 22-year-old had just 16 points in the 2004-05 regular season. Carsen Germyn leads the Knights in scoring with 10 goals and five assists in 15 games. The 23-year-old had just 20 points in 60 games last season.
Copyright 2005 Hockey's Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
Copyright 2005 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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