NHL News
Prospect and NHL Draft News: WHL Depth in 2020 (Part III)
Part III – a closer look at five WHL forwards that might be taken outside the first round.
The 2020 NHL draft class is a good one – it has drawn comparisons to the 2003 NHL draft which is typically considered one of the best classes in recent history.
In today’s draft feature, the attention reverts to the Western Hockey League (WHL) class of eligible prospects for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The WHL, like the CHL, offers a great variety of players. So far, the feature has covered WHL defenceman including: Kaiden Guhle, Braden Schneider, Alex Cotton, Daemon Hunt, and Ronan Seeley. Additionally, the following WHL forwards have also been previously noted: Ridly Greig, Seth Jarvis, Ozzy Wiesblatt, and Connor Zary.
Why More WHL Prospect Coverage?
The biggest reason for the extra WHL coverage is because of my personal proximity and familiarity with these players. Having scouted on the WHL circuit for the past decade, I have had the good fortune of watching many current NHL players as minor hockey prospects. That said, I hope some historical context on these players will add value for interested readers.
Among the group of additional WHL forwards previously mentioned in Part II, there are five that could be great NHL prospects. Will any of these five be a steal like the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3rd round pick from the WHL in 2014 (Brayden Point)? We can only hope.
Of note, apart from Cross Hanas, the first four forwards listed below follow the order of their respective 2017 WHL draft position. Amazingly, three of these players (Connor McClennon, Jake Neighbors, and Jack Finley) were selected from the same U-15 team – the Pursuit of Excellence (now Rink Hockey Academy) in Kelowna, BC.
Connor McClennon: Wainwright, AB – Winnipeg Ice
Connor McClennon has always been a gifted scorer off the wing and a big reason why he was chosen as the 2nd overall selection during the 2017 WHL draft. Under the tutelage of Winnipeg Ice Head Coach, James Patrick, McClennon has rounded out his game and is now making more offensive zone plays by drawing attention to his shot – which is lethal – then spreading the puck around. In his second WHL season, McClennon was humming along at over a point per game pace with 21 goals and 28 assists (49) in 42 games before suffering a broken collar bone in January of 2020. McClennon has respectful swagger to his game and could be a mid-round gem in spite of the injury. NHL Comparable: Kyle Palmieri.
Justin Sourdif: Surrey, BC – Vancouver Giants
Justin Sourdif was chosen right behind McClennon in the 3rd overall spot during the 2017 WHL Draft. A high pace player, and excellent athlete with loads of natural ability. NHL scouts had a good look at Sourdif during the 2019 WHL playoffs when the Vancouver Giants reached the league final. The Giants lost to the Prince Albert Raiders in game 7 (OT), but during the Giants playoff run, then 16-year-old Sourdif managed 2 goals and 6 assists during 17 playoff games. Sourdif was nearly a point per game player during this shortened season with 54 points in 57 games. My guess is that Sourdif is a lock in the 2nd round. NHL comparable: Travis Konecny.
Jake Neighbours: Airdrie, Alberta – Edmonton Oil Kings
Jake Neighbours is a power forward that can log valuable minutes on either side of the ice. He likely has enough offensive flair to project into a top-6 role at the next level but will need to continue to work on his top-end speed to get to that point. As the 4th overall selection in the 2017 WHL draft, Neighbours was ready to step into the league and made an immediate impact. In his his 2nd season with Oil Kings with 24 goals and 46 assists (70) over 64 games in 2019/20. Neighbours, like Sourdif, is likely a good bet to be taken somewhere in the 2nd round. NHL comparable: Dustin Brown
Jack Finley: Kelowna, BC – Spokane Chiefs
At 6’6, 210 pounds, right-handed center Jack Finley of the Spokane Chiefs is a bit of a throwback player. The son of former NHL’er Jeff Finley, and current amateur scout with the Winnipeg Jets, Jack is a great 200′ player with some polish and touch around the net. In 61 games with the Chiefs, the younger Finley managed 19 goals and 38 assists (57) in 2019/20. Like most tall players, he likely does not get enough credit for his skating which has continuously improved since his U-15 days. NHL comparable: Adam Lowry.
Cross Hanas: Highland Village, Texas – Portland Winterhawks
Another Texas born player that was drafted by the Winterhawks from the Dallas Stars elite program – the same system that produced Blake Coleman. Candidly, I did not watch Hanas in minor hockey but have seen him several times with the Winterhawks, and he has high end skill with the puck (see video in above tweet!). Hanas might need to upgrade certain areas of his game, but he can be an electric offensive player. In 60 games with the Winterhawks this past season Hanas managed 49 points (22G, 27A). I will be very interested where he Hanas is taken and by whom. NHL comparable: Evgenii Dadonov.
With less than a week to go stay tuned for more draft coverage leading up to October 6th & 7th!
NEXT: Prospect and NHL Draft News: Champions Are Built Outside of Round 1
Discover more from NHL Trade Talk
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
More News
