Prospects Playing Well

The Rangers prospects, for the most part, are still playing strong hockey as they enter December. Apparently there’s nothing to get excited about (yes, that’s a dig) but the stats and performances from several Rangers prospects suggest otherwise. No one more so than 2010 draftee Christian Thomas.  Despite being snubbed for a Canadian invite for the WJC, Thomas has continued to score goals and rack up points. In 22 games this season Thomas has an outstanding 18 goals and 34 points. The young winger is a big reason why his Oshawa Generals are owners of a strong 14-6-2-2 record at this stage of the year. Thomas has a genuine chance to blast past 40 goals and make a strong point to the WJC team organisers.

Ethan Werek and Dylan Mcilrath were also absent from the list of invitees and while it isn’t a shock to see the injured Mcilrath off the list it is disappointing to see Werek omitted. The strong center is enjoying a good year and his Frontenacs have gone on a recent 6-3 run to surge into 3rd in their division (just behind Oshawa) with a 15-8-1-1 record. Werek has been vital to his team’s season as he has 27 points in 23 games, although perhaps it’s his -6 that has the Canadian organisers worried. Werek appears a determined character so it will be interesting to see how he responds to the WJC snub. Dylan Mcilrath however has reason to be happy as he is close to being ready to return following his knee injury in early November. Since the injury his Moose Jaw side have gone on a 4-2 stretch and are well placed to have a strong second half of the year, especially when they welcome back the big defenceman.

• Two other Rangers prospects are still also regularly racking up the points in their leagues. Ryan Bourque for Quebec and Roman Horak of Chilliwack are both enjoying strong years offensively as Bourque  has 31 points (13+18) in 21 games and Horak has 30 points (14+16) in 23 games. Both players are key components of their teams which stands them in good stead moving forward.
• In the NCAA Carl Hagelin continues his solid year as he’s averaging a point/game with 16 in 16 while Chris Kreider is still trying to find top gear as he has just 7 points (3+4) in 14 games.  Another college kid doing well is Max Campbell as he, like Hagelin, is averaging a point per game with 14 in as many games. Campbell is an outside chance for an NHL contract due to a mixed NCAA career to this point but he appears to be making a real fist of it this season.