2013 NHL Draft - Top 50 From The Western Hockey League - 11-20

11. Shea Theodore - LD - Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) - 6'02" - 175 lbs

  Theodore is an excellent puck moving defenseman, who is looking to garner attention in the late first round. A power play quarter back and an excellent skater, Theodore could add a little more bulk in his big frame, a game changer for the Seattle Thunderbirds.

12. Alex Forsberg - LC - Prince George Cougars (WHL) - 5'11" - 184 lbs

Although Alex Forsberg has fallen from the radar after being a first overall pick in the WHL Bantam Draft, he is still an excellent hockey player, great skill with the puck and plays at a top end speed. Great skill set but due to injury concerns he has fallen from the rankings big time, could be a 2nd round steal.

13. Jayden Hart - RC - Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) - 6'1" - 188 lbs

Hunter Shinkaruk isn't the only name to listen to when you talk about prospects for next year's draft. Jayden Hart is a responsible two-way centerman with a scoring touch. Underrated and can put up plenty of points under the radar, I really like this kid.

14. Jackson Houck - RW - Vancouver Giants (WHL) - 6'00" - 184 lbs

 Playing for the Giants, I don't think they have seen a player like Jackson since the days of Evander Kane and Milan Lucic, Houck plays a very similar game to that of Milan, where he can throw the body around, drop the mitts and put up points. He is looking great so far this season, and hopefully it keeps up as his stock could drastically increase.

15. Connor Rankin - LC - Tri-City Americans (WHL) - 6'00" - 180 lbs

 I was a big fan of Connor Rankin's game, he had great offensive awareness and vision on the ice. This season has been a slow start for Rankin and I am starting to see less physicality and drive from Rankin. Could be a steal if he picks his game up. 

16. Greg Chase - RC - Calgary Hitmen (WHL) - 6'00" - 195 lbs

Another premier two-way centerman, he is a hard competitor who can throw the body around and make smart plays in the offensive zone, stock will rise as he is used in every situation.

17. Nicholas Petan - LC - Portland Winterhawks (WHL) - 5'09" - 166 lbs

 With an excellent season so far, Petan was once leading the WHL in points and was recently named "Player Of The Week." A superb offensive threat with great hands, a pure scorer but size is always a concern.

 

18. Matthew Needham - RC - Kamloops Blazers (WHL) - 5'10" - 187 lbs

A speedy two-way forward playing on a stacked Blazers team, may not get the most the ice time, but he uses it well and makes smart plays with the puck, always on his feet.

19. Ayrton Nikkel - LD - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) - 6'01" - 195 lbs

Playing behind the big two in Ryan Pulock and Eric Roy, Ayrton Nikkel is a mean defenseman who will punish you with a bone crushing hit and drop the mitts after words. 

20. Keegan Kanzig - LD - Victoria Royals (WHL) - 6'05" - 238 lbs

 This 6'5" 240 pound defenseman is about as defensive as you can get. He can throw the body around, extremely hard to get passed in the defensive end, can drop the mitts and is willing to take on anybody. Could be an excellent shutdown guy in the next level.

2013 NHL Draft - Top 50 From The Western Hockey League - 1-10

With the Western Hockey League season just kicking into gear, fans from all over the NHL are focused on junior hockey and the upcoming NHL Entry Draft due to the lockout. The Western Hockey League is still producing top end talent for the NHL draft, and this year is no exception. Last year, it was the year of the fab five, five defenseman who were all drafted with the first eight picks on the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, that consisting of Ryan Murray of the Everett Silvertips, who went 2nd overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Griffin Reinhart of the Edmonton Oil Kings, who went to the Islanders at 4th. The Toronto Maple Leafs picked up Moose Jaw Warriors defenseman Morgan Rielly at number five. Mathew Dumba went number 7 to the Wild, and Winterhawks d-man Derrick Pouliot went 8th overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the pick was acquired in the Jordan Staal trade to Carolina.

But enough of last year, this year's draft is a much different story. It is considered to be the deepest draft since 2008, with solid depth from every position from all over the world. Mind you this Top 50 was extremely difficult for me to pick and choose, but I have seen the majority of these guys play and I feel that these rankings are fairly accurate.

1. Seth Jones - RD - Portland Winterhawks (WHL) - 6'04" - 206 lbs
The obvious choice for the best draft eligible player in the WHL. His choice to head to Portland instead of taking the NCAA route is the best choice. This big defenseman can take over a hockey game at any time he feels the needs to. Smooth skating defenseman with great awareness in both the defensive and offensive sides of the game. Not to mention his size, I feel that Seth Jones has potential to be a franchise defenseman in the NHL, and a game changer at the next level.

2. Hunter Shinkaruk - LW - Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) - 5'10" - 175 lbs
An offensive threat, Hunter Shinkaruk is a pure sniper. A nose for the net and a very crafty player, Hunter has a passion for the game that you notice when he is celebrating one of his many goals. Great hands in front of the net and a great wrist shot to boot. Look for him to score 50 goals in the Western Hockey League and be a top 10 pick in the NHL draft, comparisons with Phil Kessel aren't far off. 


3. Curtis Lazar - RC - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) - 6'00" - 198 lbs 
You talk about passion, skill and grit. Curtis Lazar is the total package. Lazar plays on an excellent Edmonton Oil Kings squad, which won the league championship. An excellent two-way game with great vision and a knack for the net. Has a bit of a mean streak and is willing to throw his body around, which just adds to his value.





 
4. Ryan Pulock - RD - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) - 6'01" - 213 lbs
A late 1994, Ryan Pulock is someone who I think would be a top 10 draft pick in this year's NHL Entry Draft, but due to this year's top end talent. Pulock is looking like a mid-first rounder. An excellent d-man with great vision of the ice and a wicked shot from the point. Look for Pulock to be a valuable piece to a NHL team's franchise in the upcoming years.


5. Josh Morrissey - LD - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) - 6'00" - 184 lbs
A probable last first rounder. Morrissey is the Derrick Pouliot of this year's WHL crop. Excellent skater and puck moving defenseman. But Morrissey is willing to throw the body around and looks for those big open ice hits and isn't afraid to stand up for it. A defenseman who can run the powerplay and an interesting player to watch. 

6. Morgan Klimchuk - LW - Regina Pats (WHL) - 5'11" - 180 lbs
Klimchuk shows an excellent skillset that can move him up in the rankings as the season goes on. Excellent skating, very explosive. Tenacious on the puck and great vision, great offensive instincts that go unnoticed.

7.  Eric Roy - LD - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) - 6'3" - 190 lbs
Playing under the light of Ryan Pulock, Eric Roy also has great NHL potential, a big mean defenseman who can also provide offense to the Brandon Wheat Kings, paired with Ryan Pulock, Roy has a mean streak and and an excellent first pass out of the zone.

8. Madison Bowey - RD - Kelowna Rockets (WHL) - 6'1" - 194 lbs
Another product of a great WHL franchise who throws out excellent defenseman like candy, the Kelowna Rockets have built a prototypical two-way defenseman with excellent puck skills and a high hockey IQ, add on the size and you've got a Kelowna Rockets type of defenseman, only thing Bowey needs to work on is his physical play.

9. Eric Comrie - GK - Tri-City Americans (WHL) - 6'1" - 170 lbs
Competing for the #1 rated goalie in this year's draft with Zachary Fucale of Halifax in the QMJHL. Eric Comrie is a great technical goalie with great lateral movement. Add size and a great team in front of him, look for Comrie to slip into the first round of this year's draft.

10. Oliver Bjorkstrand - RW - Portland Winterhawks (WHL) - 5'11" - 164 lbs
An Import Draft selection from Denmark who's name came out of no where in draft rankings, Oliver Bjorkstrand is proving that he can compete with the best of them in North America,  a players with excellent offensive flare. Work on his strength and defensive game is needed but the potential is definitely there to be a scorer in the NHL.