Certain players participating in the CHL Top Prospects Game need to make good impressions with their performances, and get themselves trending upwards on the draft board.
The CHL Top Prospects Game is a must-attend showcase for scouts and managers in Canada, and there will be lots in attendance tonight in Moncton.
Certain players participating in the game need to make good on their impressions, as a few names have been declining on the draft board. This game is an opportunity for some players to establish themselves as top players in this draft class overall, not just in the CHL.
Henry Mews, Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's defenceman Henry Mews may be the player most in-need of a good performance in this game. Mews began this season projected up with Dickinson and Parekh as a first round talent, but has since declined.
There is no doubt in Mews' skating ability. He has elite edge work and high offensive intelligence. This season though, Mews hasn't lived up to expectations. He hasn't been able to dominate offensively like many thought he would, and he has been a little lackluster in his own zone. Mews' skating ability and vision should make him one of the best defencemen in-transition in the OHL, but that hasn't been the case.
Mews has the ability to turn-the-tides in this game with a strong performance. If he can show that he can hang with players like Dickinson and Parekh offensively, he will receive a boost in his draft stock.
Cole Beaudoin, Barrie Colts
Cole Beaudoin is one of these players from the OHL that needs to make a good impression in the game tonight. If he can prove that he can play his game at the pace of the CHL's other top prospects, he will give a lot of scouts some reassurance.
Beaudoin's pace and skating ability have been glaring concerns this season. He thinks the game at a very high level and he has phenomenal vision, but his skating isn't ideal. In this game, if he can show that his pace and skating ability is good enough to play with these top prospects and succeed, his draft stock will begin to trend upward once again.
With the Barrie Colts, Beaudoin has been a consistent contributor, but he hasn't had the kind of breakout season that many expected. This game will be a opportunity for him to play alongside other highly-skilled players and showcase his vision and playmaking abilities.
Gabriel Frasca, Kingston Frontenacs
Kingston Frontenacs centre Gabriel Frasca has been unstoppable since returning from injury this season. He began the season injured, and has only played 18 games this season. He has 15 points in those 18 games, and has scored a lot of big goals for the Fronts.
Frasca is a clutch player, and he shows up when it matters most. He plays an effective two-hundred-foot game as a centre, but it is his playmaking skills and finesse that makes him unique.
If Frasca can establish himself as one of the top players in this game, scouts will feel comfortable to rank him high among these top prospects despite only playing 18 games this year.