The Journey examines Dobber’s top forward prospect list and assesses the fast risers in the December rankings. Check back next week when we will take a closer look at the fastest rising defensemen in this months rankings.

Brendan Perlini – Arizona Coyotes – Up to 26^th from 83^rd Overall

At the end of the 2015-16 season, some scouts were down on Perlini after coming off a subpar OHL campaign and a disappointing World Juniors for Team Canada. Certainly he wasn’t seen as the most likely of the Coyotes wealth of prospects to spend this season in the NHL.

That perception changed in Perlini’s first handful of professional games for the American Hockey League’s Tuscon Roadrunners. The 2014 first round pick was named AHL Rookie of the Month for November with 12 points in nine games. This earned him a call-up to the NHL, where he scored his first NHL goal on December 10^th. He has two recorded points through seven games.

In the AHL, Perlini was a high-volume shooter, averaging 2.69 shots per game, but he has yet to find the same formula at the NHL level, with just seven shots in his seven games. Likely he will be up and down between the Coyotes and the Roadrunners this season, with a chance to stick after the trade deadline.

Austin Czarnik – Boston Bruins – Up to 95^th Overall from 158^th Overall

Czarnik was an undrafted free agent signing by the Bruins out of Miami University following his senior season with the RedHawks. In his first professional season in 2015-16, he broke out offensively for the Providence Bruins (AHL) with 61 points in 68 games.

After starting the season with the B’s, Czarnik was sent back down to the AHL for a short stint. Since being recalled at the end of October, the Michigan native has been in the lineup for each game Boston has played. He has featured in a bottom-six role, tallying four goals and five assists in 28 games. At this point, Czarnik receives inconsistent power play time, and not much opportunity for offensive production but does have room to grow from a shooting percentage and PDO perspective. Role and linemates with have a lot to do with reaching his upside.

Max Jones – Anaheim Ducks – Up to 102^nd Overall from 147^th Overall

One knock against Jones last season was that his production was fully tied to the fact that he played on a super-team with Mitch Marner, Matthew Tkachuk, Christian Dvorak and Olli Juolevi. In 2015-16, the feisty forward averaged .83 points-per-game to pair with his high hits, shots on goal and penalty minutes numbers. This season, Jones has taken a step forward offensively with more responsibility, increasing his point-per-game average to 1.73 while keeping his peripheral stats at his accustomed level.

Unfortunately, he has battled injuries woes this year, with a wrist issue limiting him to just 15 Ontario Hockey League games and keeping him off the United States roster for the World Junior Championships. When he returns to the ice, expect to see a similar level of offensive production, and a potential run to the Memorial Cup for the Knights.

Anders Bjork – Boston Bruins – Up to 115^th Overall from 225^th Overall

Bjork was drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 draft out of the United States National Team Development Program. He had a solid first two seasons at Notre Dame,with 57 points in 76 games. Entering his junior season, Bjork was tabbed for a breakout performance and he has not disappointed.

In 17 games for the Fighting Irish this season, Bjork has posted 28 points, leading his team and is currently tied for fourth among all NCAA players. His seven power-play goals lead college hockey and have helped Notre Dame to a 9-6-2 record and #12 national ranking.

The Wisconsin native is likely to be in the running for the Hobey Baker Award this season, given to college hockey’s top player. Once he turns professional, he will graduate into a AHL organization in Providence that has a proven track record for producing viable NHL players fairly quickly.

Taylor Raddysh – Tampa Bay Lightning – Up to 116^th Overall from Not Ranked

What a year it has been for Raddysh, after being drafted in the second round of the 2016 draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. In a big way he has proven that his breakout offensive performance in 2015-16 was no fluke, rewarding the Lightning for their faith in him.

Raddysh’s 61 points in 28 games currently lead the Ontario Hockey League, with linemate and fellow 2016 second rounder Alex DeBrincat just one point behind. Currently, Raddysh’s point-per-game pace is higher then the pace fellow Erie product Dylan Strome produced last season when he posted 111 points in 56 games.

Despite not being invited to Team Canada’s summer World Junior Championship camp, Raddysh has made the final roster for the tournament in January. It’s good to see a player rewarded for taking a step forward in his development and proving that you can play your way on to the roster. 

Cliff Pu – Buffalo Sabres – Up to 125^th Overall from 478^th Overall

Another London Knight who was tabbed to take an offensive step forward in 2016-17 was Pu, a third-round selection by the Buffalo Sabres at this summer’s draft.  He has thrived in his third OHL season, surpassing the 31 points he put up in 63 games last season, in just 17 games this year.

Pu has formed a dynamic duo with Carolina second-round selection Janne Kuokkanen to put up 47 points in 29 games, good for sixth in the OHL scoring race. When drated Pu was touted for his speed and two-way ability, but he has become a solid playmaking center with increased responsibility. A player that some had pegged as a grind it out third-line player at the NHL level is showing that he could be an asset for a scoring role in the future.

Sam Steel – Anaheim Ducks – Up to 151^st Overall from 241^st Overall

When Anaheim drafted Steel with the 30^th pick of the 2016 NHL draft it was labeled as a safe selection. Although he is not the most flashy player on the ice, the Alberta native is solid in all three zones and plays a cerebral game.

There may be a higher offensive ceiling to his game then thought at draft time, as he has dominated the Western Hockey League this season, averaging over two points per game, and ranks in the top three in the league with 48 points in just 23 games. More impressively, just 13 of those points have come with the man advantage. Steel has been lethal while shorthanded this season leading the league in shorthanded points with seven.

He projects as a solid two-way second line center who will play in all situations. Steel was one of the last cuts from the 2017 Team Canada World Junior team, but should be a virtual lock to make the roster in 2018.

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