Dallas Stars NHL Entry Draft 2014 picks
First round
#10 Ryan MacInnis (C/LW)
#19 Nikita Scherbak (LW/RW)
#24 Conner Bleackley (C/RW)
Second round
#44 Josh Ho-Sang (RW/C)
#54 Arkhip Nekolenko (LW/RW)
#57 Nelson Nogier (D)
#58 Semyon Koshelev (LW/RW)
Third round
-
Fourth round
#97 Jake Patterson (G)
#101 Kaapo Kahkonen (G)
#102 Ilya Sorokin (G)
#114 Michael Turner (LW/RW)
#119 Daniel Audette (C)
Fifth round
#134 Michael Amadio (RW/C)
Sixth round
#157 Riley Stadel (D)
Seventh round
#187 Aleksandr Mikulovich (D)
Dallas Stars NHL Entry Draft 2014 players
Round #1, 10th overall: Ryan MacInnis
Position: Centre/Left wing
Height: 6'3ft
Weight: 175lbs
Current team: Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Born: 1996-02-04 in St. Louis, MO, USA
Player description: Dallas Stars decided to move up by two picks just to draft Ryan MacInnis, son of the hall of famer, former St.Louis Blues defenseman, Al MacInnis. While his father Al was defensemen, Ryan is a true two-way forward who can get through the opposing defense by his stickhandling ability while still showing excellent defensive awareness. Plus, he's a top-class face-off guy. Can be used in various situations, he can score, he can defend a penalty kill, win an important face-offs and play disciplined hockey. He also shows leadership skills and maturity, both on and off the ice. On the other hand, his skating isn't so great and it will requre some work. But all in all, he's developing into third line centre who can also help his team on the penalty-kill.
Type of player: Two-way forward
Career potential: Third line centre
Projected OF & DEF: 75 / 83
Round #1, 19th overall: Nikita Scherbak
Position: Left wing/Right wing
Height: 6'2ft
Weight: 182lbs
Current team: Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Born: 12-30-1995 in Moscow, RUS
Player description: Most scoring WHL rookie coming out of Moscow, Russia is another two-way forward whose best asset is in his shooting ability. But to clarify it, Nikita is not by any means a selfish player, he can also hold onto the puck on his stick and pass it to his teammates to score a goal. Nikita can really skate out there and has slick hands and he can do many things with the puck. Can get under the skin of his opponents with his checking ability. On the other hand, he has some work to do with his positioning. But ultimately, he has great potential and he has all what it takes to play a top-six role in any NHL team.
Type of player: Power forward
Carer potential: Second line winger
Projected OF & DEF: 79 / 74
Round #1, 24th overall: Conner Bleackley
Position: Centre/Right wing
Height: 6'1ft
Weight: 192lbs
Current team: Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Born: 1996-07-02 in High River, AB, CAN
Player description: The captain of the Red Deer Rebels is a complete package. Has a nice blend of size, skill and speed. He's showing good scoring ability, but he rather decides to pass the puck than to shoot it and is a pretty good stickhandler. Owns excellent checking ability and he knows where to be to in order to take away the puck from his opponents with his well-developed sense for positioning. Although, Conner isn't as tall as previously mentioned MacInnis or Scherbak, he can still hit pretty hard and if developed properly, he can grow to a complex forward who can be used in various situations. Can help his team both as first-line centre or as third line winger aswell. He also brings leadership qualities to the table - this is proven by the fact that he is one of the youngest captains in the entire CHL. (OHL, WHL, QMJHL)
Type of player: All-around forward
Career potential: Top-six forward
Projected OF & DEF: 80 / 76
Round #2, 44th overall: Joshua Ho-Sang
Position: Right wing/Centre
Height: 5'11ft
Weight: 174lbs
Current team: Windsor Spitfire (OHL)
Born: 1996-01-22 in Toronto, ON, CAN
Player description: Unlike the previously mentioned forwards chosen by Dallas Stars in this 2014 draft, Josh is a pure offensive forward who can really skate out there and burn the opposing defenders with his blazing speed and incredibile stickhandling moves. But his best asset is in his playmaking. He's consistently showing world-class playmaking ability and makes his teammates better, all thanks to his creativity and anticipation. He feels most natural on a centre position but the question is if he does have what it takes to play as a centreman in the best league in the world, because of his rather smalling stature and the fact that he needs to work on his game outside of offensive zone. His face-off ability also could be not good enough to play centre position in the NHL. But all in all, he could still become an explosive winger who can add scoring and strenghten the powerplay of his team.
Type of player: Playmaker
Career potential: Top-six forward
Projected OF & DEF: 84 / 63
Round #2, 54th overall: Arkhip Nekolenko
Position: Light wing/Right wing
Height: 6'2ft
Weight: 176lbs
Current team: SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
Born: 1996-03-11 in Moscow, RUS
Player description: Unlike his older brother Ilya from Nashville Predators system, Arkhip is forward. Nekolenko is a very interesting player with great skating and good puckhandling skills. He is a player who can score and pass the puck, but is mainly a goal-scorer. Gifted with a great shot, he can beat the goalie in a variety of ways. He usually plays the off-wing and can be very dangerous when the ice opens up and he has time with the puck on his blade. Nekolenko can become a very good goal-scorer, but needs to bulk up and get some consistency. Limited to 19 games with Spartak of the MHL due to a necessary surgery when he was diagnosed with pneumothorex. Prior to that, he showed power, instincts, finesse, and soft hands. Aggressive player and skater a good hockey smarts. Can be used as checking line, or energy line winger in the team of Dallas Stars in years to come.
Type of player: Checking winger
Career potential: Bottom six forward
Projected OF & DEF: 73 / 78
Round #2, 57th overall: Nelson Nogier
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6'2ft
Weight: 194lbs
Current team: Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Born: 1996-05-27 in Saskatoon, SK, CAN
Player description: Nelson Nogier is a big defender who is a strong balanced skater with excellent defensive awareness. Takes good angles and close well, and use his active stick well to break things up. Keeps his goalies sight lines open by clearing attackers out. Has the size and frame to fill out even bigger. A smart defenseman who reads and reacts with calm demeanor. Uses his stick to break up plays and stop advances. On the other hand, he does not contribute offensively very much and can make bad opening passes from behing his net. But all in all, he still could become a solid 6-7 depth defenseman for the Dallas Stars.
Type of player: Shut-down defenseman
Career potential: Depth defenseman
Projected OF & DEF: 44 / 80
Round #2, 58th overall: Semyon Koshelev
Position: Left wing/Right wing
Height: 6'0ft
Weight: 172lbs
Current team: Kazzinc Torpedo (VHL)
Born: 1996-01-11 in Oskemen, KAZ
Player description: Kazahk-native forward Semyon Koshelev is a pure offensive winger, simillar to previously picked Josh Ho-Sang. His best asset is in his playmaking, as he can set up plays, has great patience with the puck and shows excellent anticipation. He always plays disciplined hockey, as he's doing really good job in staying out of the penalty box. Semyon has a hard and accurate shot and is also pretty good in stickhandling the puck through the traffic, but due to his great vision, he's more likely to accept the role of a playmaker. He needs to work on his defensive acumen and bulk up a bit, to be ready to play the NHL in the nearest future. Also has to work on his skating, as it's still could be better. But ultimately, his offensive skills should secure him a spot on the powerplay unit in the Dallas Stars future.
Type of player: Dangler
Career potential: Top-nine winger
Projected OF & DEF: 86 /59
Round #4, 97th overall: Jake Patterson
Position: Goaltender
Height: 6'1ft
Weight: 192lbs
Current team: London Knights (OHL)
Born: 1994-06-18 in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, CAN
Player description: Jake Patterson who is a 2012/13 OHL champion with the London Knights is a solid mix of a stand-up and butterfly style goalie. He already had a chance to play with many highly-touted players, such as his former goalie-colleague Anthony Stolarz who is already a solid backup in Boston Bruins, behind Tuukka Rask or russian giant Nikita Zadorov who is member of the Nashville Predators organization. (Just to name the few others: Max Domi, Bo Horvat, Remi Elie...) Jake seems to know what it takes to be a professional and to perform his best every night as he seems to be consistent enough to make it to the NHL one day. Jake has been left undrafted two times and is turning pro now, as he turned 20 three weeks ago, which means he can be sent to Texas right away so that might accelerate his development pretty much.
Type of players: Hybrid goalie
Career potential: Backup goalie
Projected POT/CON: 77 / 70
Round #4, 101st overall: Kaapo Kahkonen
Position: Goaltender
Height: 6'2ft
Weight: 201lbs
Current team: Espoo Blues (LIIGA)
Born: 1996-08-16 in Helsinki, FIN
Player description: Kahkonen has the prototypical size for an NHL goaltender and is strong in all areas of the game. While utilizing a butterfly style, he appears in control at all times and has quick feet that allow him to move laterally quickly. Playing in almost every game for his junior team, he has proven to be durable and is technically sound. Kaapo is an active puck stopper who plays the game with confidence especially when seeing a heavy workload. He goes down and pops right back up quickly and moves side-to-side well. Could become a solid NHL backup but is still only 17 and thus very raw and has a lot of work ahead of him. First and foremost, he needs to gain experience from playing for Espoo Blues A-team.
Type of player: Butterfly goalie
Career potential: Backup goalie
Projected POT/CON: 76 / 71
Round #4, 102nd overall: Ilya Sorokin
Position: Goaltender
Height: 6'2ft
Weight: 168lbs
Current team: Metallurg Nokokuznetsk (KHL)
Born: 1995-08-04 in Mezhdurechensk, RUS
Player description: Ilya Sorokin is highly-talented goaltender who - at age of 18 - already has an experience of 36 KHL games, while recording pretty good save percentage (.911) and goals against average (2.90) last season. These numbers are pretty solid especially when you take into account that his club - Metallurg Novokuznetsk - is one of the weakest teams in the league. Ilya is has an NHL size and is pretty quick with his glove, has a good balance on his skates, moves well from side-to-side and can make acrobatic saves from time to time. Has the ability to steal the game for his team, but also can have bad night, at times, so he's kind of a project right now and he needs to work on his consistency and bulk up a bit to become a solid NHL goalie in the future.
Type of player: Hybrid goalie
Career potential: Starting goalie
Projected POT/CON: 79 / 51
Round #4, 114th overall: Michael Turner
Position: Left wing/Right wing
Height: 6'2ft
Weight: 207lbs
Current team: Waterloo Black Hawks (USHS)
Born: 1995-09-23 in Chicago, IL, USA
Player description: Michael Turner who is a product of US Hockey, is a winger who projects to be a fourth winger. Is showing good defensive awareness. Can really help on the penalty-kill unit with his hit-and-grind style of play and his checking ability and is doing pretty good job in staying out the penalty box while still competing hard. Can also make good stickhandling moves, from time to time. Is also showing pretty good consistency in his play. His biggest weakness is in his skating as he needs to improve in this department in order to have a chance to play regularly in the NHL.
Type of player: Defensive winger
Career potential: Depth winger
Projection OF/DEF: 62 / 76
Round #4, 119th overall: Daniel Audette
Position: Centre
Height: 5'8ft
Weight: 174lbs
Current team: Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
Born: 1996-05-06 in Buffalo, NY, USA
Player description: Even though he was born in Buffalo, NY, USA, he's a native of Canada, as he was born while his father, Donald Audette, was playing with the Buffalo Sabres back in 1996. Daniel, who was drafted first overall in the 2012 QMJHL, is a speedy scorer with plenty of offensive upside. Audette sees the ice extremely well, which helps him create scoring chances and set up his teammates even when playing in traffic. His strength is as a playmaker. He doesn’t have the size to win physical battles, but he can really shine out there in the PP unit and can make beautiful passes and has that ability to create a scoring chance out of nothing with his blazing speed and stickhandling ability. It is easy to question whether Audette has the size and strength to make it as a player at the next level, let alone as a center. What cannot be questioned, though, is the skill he shows when he has the puck on his stick. Needs to work on his faceoff ability though.
Type of player: Playmaker
Career potential: Top-nine forward
Projected OF & DEF: 84 / 52
Round #5, 134th overall: Michael Amadio
Position: Right wing/Centre
Height: 6'1ft
Weight: 190lbs
Current team: North Bay Batallion (OHL)
Born: 1996-05-13 in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, CAN
Player description: Amadio can line up either at center or wing and he is a very smart player with a high hockey IQ, and he always understands where to be on the ice. His positioning defensively is excellent, and he’s always strong on the back check. With the puck, he keeps things simple and doesn’t force a play if it isn’t there. He’s very smart with the puck and goes through his progressions quickly. Michael does a good job of moving himself around the ice to create angles or lanes to get passes/shots through and is more of a playmaker, since his shot is neither very hard or accurate. His skating ability is relatively good, as it doesn’t hinder his ability to play a strong 200-foot game. His weakness is that his offensive upside is not what you can call a high-end and is a bit of a streaky player, so has to work on his consistency and also has some work to do with his shot. But all in all, he's a solid, all-around forward who can skate and keep the things going the right way.
Type of a player: Energy forward
Career potential: Depth forward
Projected OF & DEF: 78 / 67
Round #6, 157th overall: Riley Stadel
Position: Defenseman
Height: 5'10ft
Weight: 170lbs
Current team: Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Born: 1996-01-16 in Surrey, BC, CAN
Player description: Stadel plays a strong offensive game with above average instincts for scoring, reading defence and in turn creating opportunities. A highlight of his game is his skating ability. Demonstrates an above average hockey IQ, with the speed to skate all over the ice, looking for a multitude of options, sending a breakout pass or an efficient short chip to a teammate. Chooses offensive pinches at opportune times and knows when to stay back and defend. Displays a knack for getting pucks on net and changes the angle of his shot to avoid being blocked. Is undersized even by WHL standards and his lack of strength can become an issue in the defensive zone when playing against larger opponents, getting leaned on and pushed out of position. Has a lot of work to do in his game in the corners, especially in the defensive zone, as he doesn't takes away too many pucks due to his smallish stature. Also needs to bulk up.
Type of player: Puck-moving defenseman
Career potential: Depth defenseman
Projected OF & DEF: 73 / 69
Round #7, 187th overall: Aleskandr Mikulovich
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6'3ft
Weight: 205lbs
Current team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Born: 1996-07-01 in Chelyabinsk, RUS
Player description: Mikulovich is a mean, aggressive defender who has represented Russia Internationally. A member of Russia's entry at the Youth Olympic Games and more recently at the World U17 Challenge in Québec. Probably the top Russian 96-born defensive prospect. Imposing defender, knows how to use his size and reach. A powerful aggressor, imposes his will down low, grinds down and suffocates the cycle. Has a surprisingly strong skating stride, can struggle with lateral mobility and his startups, but moves well north to south. Defending angles and gap control can still be raw in some parts. He can chase hits, gets flat footed when making a poor read. Aleskandr is a prototype of low-maintenance depth defenseman.
Type of player: Physical defenseman
Career potential: Depth defenseman
Projected OF & DEF: 69 / 72
