While still 24 months away, the 2023 NHL Entry Draft promises to have at least one New Englander in the discussion for a first-round selection.
Will Smith, a center from St. Sebastian’s and Boston Junior Eagles 16-U, is the top prospect from the region, and he’s capable of being one of the first 32 players selected in his draft class.
Smith is one of three New England natives to make USA Hockey’s NTDP U-17 team for the 2021-22 season. Joining him in Plymouth, Mich., will be Pope Francis star Ryan Leonard and Dexter Southfield two-way center Will Vote.
There are a couple of late ’04s who will be in the mix for having their names called at the draft. In addition, you can count on some ’05s to emerge over the next couple of seasons. Each birth year will have a couple of late bloomers pop up and make a name for himself late in the process.
1. Will Smith
St. Sebastian’s/Junior Eagles 16-U, 3/17/05, C, right shot, 5-11/150, NCAA commit: Northeastern
Smith, from Lexington, Mass., has been regarded as the top offensive player in this birth year for some time. He displayed that again in May at the USA Hockey NTDP Evaluation Camp. Smith is a multidimensional player who can use his size, strength, shot and explosive skating ability to be a power forward. He also has the hands and vision to make plays with tape-to-tape passes and is becoming a more complete player. His habits and work ethic away from the puck have improved by leaps and bounds over the past year. Smith projects as a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL draft.
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2. Ryan Leonard
Pope Francis/Springfield Rifles 15s, 1/21/05, C/RW, right shot, 5-11/165
Leonard is a dynamic goal scorer who has dominated the Massachusetts high school hockey scene in two seasons under Brian Foley. In countless viewings over the past two years, the Amherst, Mass., native has taken over games with his finishing touch. Leonard has a great shot, but an underrated part of his game is his offensive instincts. He sees the ice well, whether it be anticipating the play, finding soft spots in opposing defenses, or finding open teammates with precision passes. Leonard’s skating is good enough and he plays with a chip on his shoulder. Leonard has played center for Pope Francis, but he projects as a wing going forward. There are times where he needs to reel in that emotion, but it’s better than the alternative. Older brother John is a member of the San Jose Sharks following three years at UMass. In addition to the Minutemen, several other top Hockey East programs are hoping to secure a commitment from the younger Leonard.
3. Will McDonough
Boston Advantage 16-U, 6/18/05, C/RW, right shot, 6-1/181
McDonough has consistently been a goal scorer in the three years I’ve seen him play. The Duxbury, Mass., native has played up a year with the Boston Advantage program. McDonough has good size and is a power forward. He does an excellent job of hanging around the net and picking up loose change. He also has become a better skater over the past year, allowing him to come off the wall and drive the net. McDonough has a hard shot and plays hard. Similarly to Leonard, McDonough has played some center and wing, but he’ll likely move to wing full time. He’s at his best when he’s playing a hard, north-south style of hockey.
4. Sean Keohane
Dexter Southfield/Cape Cod Whalers 16-U, 11/4/04, D, left shot, 6-3/165
Keohane was a good Bantam player, but he flew a little under the radar last season in his first as a Midget. He didn’t get much playing time as a freshman, due to the loaded roster that Danny Donato’s program had. This past season, Keohane started to show what he’s truly capable of while playing for the Whalers and in limited prep games with Dexter Southfield. The Milton, Mass., native skates well for a big guy and covers a lot of ground as a rangy defender. While he projects as more of a shutdown defender at the next level, he exhibits some skill at the prep and Midget level.
5. Will Vote
Dexter Southfield/Junior Eagles 16-U, 2/1/05, C/RW, right shot, 5-7/145
Vote’s physical tools might limit him in terms of pro upside, but he deserves mentioning here. The Arlington, Mass., native is moving on to the NTDP after one excellent season at Dexter Southfield. Vote is on the smaller side, but his hockey sense and compete are elite attributes. He makes his linemates better by hunting pucks and having tremendous vision. Despite his lack of size, he’s willing to throw out his hip and protect pucks along the wall. He sees the ice really well and his habits away from the puck are equally impressive. Vote can slide up and down the lineup and play in all situations. A number of schools from Hockey East, ECAC Hockey and the Big Ten are pursuing Vote with vigor.
6. Donovan Frias
St. George’s/Boston Imperials 16-U, 11/9/04, LW, left shot, 6-3/194
Frias is an off-the-board pick here, but he’s a player who has improved a ton over the past 18 months. He’s always had size and brought a physical toughness, but he’s added an offensive element. Frias, from Hudson, Mass., is a power forward who can play a heavy game from the wing position. His skating has gotten better, and it still needs to improve, but he’s earned this recognition.
7. Michael Stenberg
Des Moines Buccaneers, 9/22/04, RW, right shot, 6-2/185, NCAA commit: Penn State
Stenberg is a big winger who plays a hard and heavy style of play. The Needham, Mass., native is at his best when he’s being tenacious on the forecheck and delivering hits to retrieving defensemen. The former Thayer forward is a good athlete who also is a standout on the lacrosse field. He struggled some in his transition to junior hockey this season, but I still think he has some upside. He shoots it hard and certainly brings a physical presence to the game.
