Two years from now, most of the 2010-born players on Earth will become eligible to be picked in the 2028 NHL Draft.
Most people will wince when they realize ’10s will be getting drafted. And they will feel extremely old that kids born in 2010 will be 18.
This job has made me numb to that.
It’s far away, but I’ve long said the ’10s are a deep bunch. Will that automatically translate to the NHL Draft? I’m not sure. How players physically develop and progress on the ice over the next two years will dictate that.
I’m not sure I see any definite first-round picks here. It also doesn’t help that future U.S. National Team Development Program U17 skater Sam Lee (Woburn, Mass.) and Mount St. Charles’ Mason Stonacek (Stamford, Conn.) won’t be eligible until 2029. Right now, those would be big names two years out.
Here’s a way-too-early look at some names for the 2028 NHL Draft.
Michael Barrett
Phillips Andover, 5/17/2010, F, left shot, 6-1/185
Hometown: Lynnfield, Mass.
Barrett had a big sophomore year for Andover, scoring 10 times and notching 23 points. He already has a size advantage on most of his peers and can play as a power forward, running defensemen hard through the end wall on the forecheck.
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Logan Cotter
Green Bay Gamblers, 8/10/2010, D, left shot, 5-10/160
Hometown: Marlboro, Mass.
Cotter is the top ’10 defenseman in New England right now. His skating is elite, which is already a great start for NHL attention. He was an offensive force at St. Mark’s this past winter with 22 points. He likely will take his licks and have ups and downs with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers this coming season. But that should strengthen him for his draft year.
Carter Felt
Rivers, 8/17/2010, F, left shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Natick, Mass.
Felt broke out with Rivers this winter, leading the team in goals (20) and points (34). He’s a gamer with a high compete and the ability to get to high-danger areas. He’s a force. It will become clearer just how high his stock will be as his skating progresses and he physically matures over the next two years.
Brendan Martin
St. Sebastian’s, 1/20/2010, D, left shot, 5-9/161
Hometown: Dedham, Mass.
Martin was a do-it-all force for St. Sebastian’s this past winter with two goals and 13 points. He played in all situations and was especially good at defensively shutting down other teams. He has a fantastic stick and, as he grows and develops, should become a defenseman NHL teams will look at.
Jameson Needham
St. Sebastian’s, 1/6/2010, F, right shot, 5-11/150
Hometown: Woburn, Mass.
Needham is a play-driving force down the middle. He was one of St. Sebastian’s top goal scorers this winter with 12 in 20 games. He has a lethal shot and an ability to find soft spots in defensive coverages. If he builds off this past season, he should be in a good position come his draft year.
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Jack Queally
U.S. National Team Development Program U17, 7/27/2010, F, left shot, 5-11/181
Hometown: Milton, Mass.
It’s very early, but Queally has first-round potential. He made the NTDP’s U17 team for next fall. He’s a do-it-all, every-situation kind of center. He’s physical, a good skater and progressed this past winter offensively with 16 goals and 37 points in 27 games for St. Sebastian’s. If he’s to become a first-rounder, he needs to prove he can score and shut other teams down at the NTDP.
Chris Sawyer
Atlantic Coast Academy, 6/17/2010, F, left shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Pelham, N.H.
Sawyer’s raw skill and ability to produce with linemates set him apart. He had a strong year playing up with ACA’s 16U team, scoring 14 goals and posting 43 points in 28 games. Playing with pace at higher levels will help him stand out in his draft year.
Colin Walsh
Rivers, 8/18/2010, F, left shot, 6-1/180
Hometown: Framingham, Mass.
Walsh was a top player for the Neponset Valley River Rats’ 15O team and Framingham High School this winter. He has great size and a phenomenal ability to get to high-danger areas and rip pucks. His vision and ability to play with elite linemates are high-end, too. His skills should be translatable to higher levels.
Kasen Walsh
Nobles, 4/24/2010, D, left shot, 5-11/155
Hometown: Warwick, R.I.
Walsh is a great shutdown defenseman. He has a lethal stick, takes away passing lanes and routinely wins his board battles. His next step will be growing physically and as a puck-mover.
Nick Ware
Belmont Hill, 1/5/2010, D, right shot, 5-10/169
Hometown: Weymouth, Mass.
Ware is a terrific two-way defenseman with an emphasis on being an elite passer and set-up man. He had 23 assists for Belmont Hill this past winter. He should grow in his ability to defend, be physical and produce even more offense.
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Blake Wilichoski
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 4/18/2010, F, right shot, 5-11/161
Hometown: Danvers, Mass.
Wilichoski is a force with the puck, never hesitating to hold onto it and shield it from defenders. His speed puts defenders on their heels, too. His next step is having that translate into tangible production — and he’ll need to do it at higher levels since he was tendered for next season with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
