While the focus of NHL Entry Draft coverage is on July 7-8, 2022, and rightfully so, now is a good time to take a quick peek at some of the prospects who have helped position themselves for 2023.
Three Massachusetts forwards who are all at the U.S. National Development Team Program and future college teammates at Boston College are attracting positive notice with NHL scouts in their first season on Team USA. Will Smith (Lexington, Mass.), Ryan Leonard (Amherst, Mass.) and Will Vote (Arlington, Mass.) all bring different attributes to their respective games, but have the look and feel of prospects you can get behind when their turn to be drafted comes next summer.
The trio is making a splash this season, but who else from the New England area has impressed? We spoke to a scout from each NHL conference, and they weighed in with some observations on what is looking like another promising regional class.
Forwards
Will Smith
U.S. NTDP U-18/17, 3/17/05, C, right shot, 6-0/172
NCAA commit: Boston College
Former Boston Junior Eagles and St. Sebastian's star is a power forward who keeps getting better with the NTDP. He earned the latest cover of New England Hockey Journal, with bigger things in store as he surges toward first-round status in about 15 months.
NHL scout’s take: “The kid’s stick and brain are elite…for scoring and setting up plays.”
Ryan Leonard
U.S. NTDP U-17, 1/21/05, RW, right shot, 5-11/180
NCAA commit: Boston College
Brother of NHLer John Leonard is a natural scorer who shined at Pope Francis before landing at the Program with fellow Massachusetts natives Smith and Vote. After leading the MIAA Cardinals to a national title last year in Omaha, Neb., he’s now playing with the very best players in his age group and maturing his all-around game against top competition. He’s a finisher who knows how to get to the grade A scoring areas between the dots and can get rid of the puck quickly with velocity and accuracy.
NHL scout’s take: “He’s coming along: not the physical package Will Smith is, but can shoot it and has a creative scoring touch.”
Will McDonough (Duxbury, Mass.)
Boston Advantage (NCDC)/Sioux Falls (USHL), 6/18/05, C/RW, right shot, 6-1/190
Big body with a lot of the attributes that give him the look of a future pro, and resulted in his being the second 16-year-old player chosen in the USHL futures draft last May. While his skating is not elite, he gets from point A to B well enough and after making a positive impression with the Boston Advantage in the USPHL NCDC, recently scored his first USHL goal for the Stampede. He has the size, strength and IQ to be a matchup problem, and if he can improve his first couple of steps/add a separation gear, he’ll be the complete package. Having played a year up on Advantage teams in the past, he’s in the USHL with future Harvard defenseman Ryan Healey (Hull, Mass.), a 2022 NHL draft prospect.
NHL scout’s take: “The skating isn’t what others make it out to be for me — he gets there. Around the net, he establishes inside position, has a good shot and has made an impact as one of the youngest players in the USHL.”
Will Vote
U.S. NTDP U-17, 2/22/05, RW, right shot, 5-7/158
NCAA commit: Boston College
Brains over brawn: whatever Vote lacks in size, he more than compensates for with vision, creativity and a natural feel for the game. He’s versatile and can play up or down in the Team USA lineup, and is able to generate scoring chances with his superior instincts and good skill level. More and more NHL teams are placing an emphasis on smart players and the Dexter Southfield product’s smarts are as good as any player eligible for the 2023 NHL draft. He committed to Boston College early in the process and is one more impressive part of the Eagles’ elite 2005 recruiting class.
NHL scout’s take: “There’s room in the NHL for guys like Vote, who just oozes hockey sense and makes others better. The size isn’t great, but you just need to watch him on a couple of shifts to see that he’s thinking it so far ahead of most and has the gumption to make a lot of plays.”
Donovan Frias (Hudson, Mass.)
St. George’s/South Shore Kings Prep 18-U, 11/9/04, LW, left shot, 6-3/200
NCAA commit: Yale
The biggest of an impressive group of New England forwards, he and twin brother Julian have been key cogs in the Dragons prep machine that can overwhelm opponents offensively. The skating is improving, but he’s been highly effective in split-season and prep play by going consistently to the net and not hesitating to fire pucks at the net. He’s playing well enough to be drafted in 2022, but as a late ’04, he has another year to improve his mobility and take the next steps in his development. NHL teams are already intrigued with his power forward package.
NHL scout’s take: “Definitely raw and rough around the edges, but every time I watch him, he scores. It’s going to be about making sure he keeps going in the right direction and doesn’t take backward steps next year, because he’s been a pleasant surprise.”
Defensemen
Sean Keohane
Dexter/South Shore Kings Prep 18-U, 11/4/04, left shot, 6-3/170
NCAA commit: Harvard
The defensive acumen is what jumped out in first summer viewings, as he uses his mobility, range and reach to negate opposing rushes with poise and ease. However, his offensive elements and an ever-improving puck game are what will make him appointment viewing for NHL scouts next season. Like Frias, he’s playing well enough this season to be an NHL draft pick in July but will have to wait until 2023. With his size, length, smarts and work ethic, Dan Donato plays Keohane a ton, and he’s always noticeable with his ability to close quickly and move pucks with authority.
NHL scout’s take: “He’s got so many of the attributes you’re looking for in a defenseman: tall, long, moves well, plays hard. I’m not sold on his offensive upside, but I have a lot of time for his defensive game and he plays the right way.”
Lucas St. Louis
Brunswick/Mid Fairfield Rangers 16-U, 3/30/05, left shot, 5-10/160
NCAA commit: Harvard
Has a cerebral two-way game and NHL bloodlines to be on the draft radar 1.5 years out. The younger son of Hall of Fame forward Marty St. Louis didn’t play at the NTDP like his older brother (and Northeastern freshman) Ryan, but is Dubuque Fighting Saints property and playing well for Brunswick. He gets on pucks and can skate them out of danger himself or move them with hard, efficient passes. His defensive game is the biggest area he’ll need to address, however, he lacks the size to be a physical presence, so his positioning and decisions will be key to his progress going forward.
NHL scout’s take: “There’s much to like in terms of his quickness, instincts and ability to move pucks. Defensively, I want to see him be more consistent and engaged, but he’s smart enough to know what he needs to do. My biggest question is whether he’s dynamic enough as a smaller ‘D’ to be a draft. We’ll see.”
In the mix:
Michael Stenberg (Needham, Mass.), RW -Des Moines (USHL); 9/22/04, right shot, 6-2/185: Early bloomer and Penn State recruit has struggled to generate offense in his first full USHL campaign. A bit of an afterthought right now, he has a chance to raise his profile with a bigger role and jump in production next season.
Cam Russo (Middleton, Mass.), RW- Governor’s/NV River Rats 16-U; 1/3/05, right shot, 6-1/181: Big, skilled power forward has pro hockey attributes, and if he can round out the habits and details, will be a player that NHL scouts will be intrigued with next season.
Julian Frias (Hudson, Mass.), C- St. George’s/SSK Prep 18-U; 11/9/04, right shot, 6-3/195: Rugged pivot is a player in his own right. While not as offensively skilled as his brother, plays more of a refined game at this stage and deserves his own recognition as an effective two-way player with the physical tools to be in the draft discussion.
Hudson Miller, D- Avon Old Farms/Conn. Jr. Bulldogs 16-U; 7/14/05, right shot, 6-2/175: With his physical package, the New Yorker is raising his profile on a top team this season.
Thomas Kiesewetter (Plymouth, Mass.), G- Maine Nordiques 18-U; 1/2/05, catches left, 6-6/200: Recent Princeton commit left Thayer Academy for the NAHL, but the older junior league was too much, too soon for the Russian-born, Massachusetts-raised netminder. He has pro size and athletic ability, and where he plays in his NHL draft season will be crucial.
