Prospect Need to Know: From Boston to Russia and all points in between

College hockey's Beanpot tournament has set its final, while the Five Nations in Sochi is a must-see event for scouts. Find out who is hot around the prospect world right now in our weekly wrap.

No time to rest in the prospect world; we’ve got more international tournaments going on. The most prominent is the Five Nations in Russia, where top under-18s – many of whom will be scouted for the 2019 draft – have come together in Sochi to do battle. Sweden, Finland, Team USA and the Czechs join the host Russians here. Meanwhile, if you can believe it, some major junior teams have already qualified for the playoffs. Those top contenders will obviously be ones to watch for the upcoming Memorial Cup in Halifax, assuming the teams can navigate their respective league’s playoff brackets first. We’ve also got NCAA Beanpot semifinal winners out in Boston. Let’s see who is making noise right now.

Tyler Madden, C, Northeastern Huskies (Hockey East): It’s been an excellent freshman season for Madden, the hard-working Huskies pivot and Vancouver Canucks pick. He’s already got a world junior silver medal and a berth in the Beanpot final (thanks to his own OT goal over Boston U.), but he’s also becoming a celly king at Northeastern. NHL arrival: 2021-22

Jack McBain, LW, Boston College Eagles (Hockey East): McBain got the game-winner for the Eagles over Harvard at the other Beanpot semifinal, pushing his offensive totals to five points in the past five games. After a slow start to his NCAA career, the big and talented Minnesota Wild pick is really getting some traction. NHL arrival: 2022-23

Jared McIsaac, D, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL): The Memorial Cup hosts are trying to keep up with the other elite teams in the ‘Q’ and McIsaac is doing his part with 14 points during a seven-game point streak. The two-way defenseman and Detroit Red Wings prospect is hard to play against and can also move the puck. NHL arrival: 2020-21

Trevor Zegras, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL): With Jack Hughes on the shelf, Zegras will get more of a chance to shine at the Five Nations in Russia and in his tournament debut against Sweden, he showed off some of his nifty puck skills. The 2019 draft prospect and Boston University commit has been one of the NTDP’s top scorers this season. NHL arrival: 2020-21

Tobias Bjornfot, D, Djurgarden (Swe.): A steady, two-way talent who made his SHL debut this season with a six-game stint, Bjornfot is currently playing for the national under-18 team in Russia at the Five Nations. Expect the 2019 draft prospect to log a lot of minutes on the blueline and chip in some offense, too: in the first game against Team USA, the D-man had two goals and an assist in a 7-5 win. NHL arrival: 2021-22

Brett Leason, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL): The Raiders just became the first team in the league to clinch a playoff spot, so let’s show some love for their leading scorer, Leason. The 2019 draft prospect is a late bloomer who has really put things together since being passed over in the past two drafts. The big scorer is up to 78 points through 44 games. NHL arrival: 2020-21

Shane Starrett, G, Bakersfield Condors (AHL): Need a goalie, Edmonton fans? Starrett is starting to look like a future starter, though the Condors are all hot right now with a 12-game win streak. Starrett, a 6-foot-5 netminder and Air Force alum, has only given up eight goals in his past five appearances and has eight straight wins himself. NHL arrival: 2020-21

Tyler Tullio, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL): With 15 points in his past 10 games, Tullio is having a heckuva second half with the Generals, who could be a surprise team in the post-season. The 2020 draft prospect has lots of skill and quickness and no doubt he will build on his role with the squad next season once some of the veterans leave for the pros. NHL arrival: 2022-23

Filip Larsson, G, University of Denver Pioneers (NCHC): His NCAA career started off with an injury, but Larsson has bounced back and just had a huge weekend that garnered him conference goalie of the week honors. The Detroit Red Wings pick stopped 76 of 78 shots in two wins over North Dakota, boosting the freshman’s save percentage to .923 on the season, with a 7-2-3 record for the Pios. NHL arrival: 2022-23

Ryder Donovan, RW, Duluth East Greyhounds (Minn. HS): There were high expectations coming into the season for Donovan, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound high schooler and 2019 draft prospect. The pass-first kid got off to an OK start, but he’s up to 33 points in 22 games now, using his size and skating ability to get his way. Donovan is not currently committed to an NCAA school, but he has plenty of suitors. NHL arrival: 2021-22