The Journey takes a closer look at which prospects shined brightest in the month of February within the junior and college ranks.

Ontario Hockey League

Kyle Wood – North Bay Battalion –  NR in Dobber’s Top 50 Prospect Defensemen

Despite not playing until mid-November after rehabbing from summer wrist surgery, Wood ranks in the top 20 scorers among defensemen in the OHL. His .86 points per game rate is third at his position in the league with 37 points in 43 games. In February, Wood posted 11 points (2G, 9A) in 12 games, adding 34 shots on goal. The former Avalanche third round pick was included in Colorado’s deadline trade for Mikkel Boedker, and is now a member of the Arizona Coyotes organization.

Travis Konecny – Sarnia Sting – 26^th in Dobber’s Top 200 Prospect Forwards

Konecny has been a major boost to Sarnia since coming over in a mid-season trade with Ottawa. In February he scored in 12 of 13 games, compiling 23 points over that span with eight multi-point games. His shot rate ballooned to 4.7 shots per game in the month of February, up from his 3.91 average on the season. A terrific creator and distributor, Konecny’s 64 assists are top five in the OHL.

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Anthony Beauvillier – Shawinigan Cataractes – NR in Dobber’s Top 200 Prospect Forwards

Despite only playing in 44 games this season in the QMJHL, Beauvillier ranks among the top 20 scorers in the league with an incredibly balanced 37 goals and 37 assists. The 2015 first round pick of the Islanders has led Shawinigan to an East division title this season. In February, Beauvillier had five multi-point games and recorded a point in ten of the teams 12 contests, finishing with 16 points in the month, including five powerplay goals. The lanky center has high level ability, and a motor that never stops. He signed an entry-level contract with the Islanders in October.

Evgeny Svechnikov – Cape Breton Screaming Eagles – NR in Dobber’s Top 200 Prospect Forwards

The Red Wings went for another European forward in the 2015 first round, and Svechnikov appears to be a player who will help their forward group in the future. Cape Breton clinched a playoff berth aided by the young Russian forwards play since the turn to 2016. An incredibily gifted player offensively, Svechnikov has a sandpaper element to his game as well. His month of February included eight goals and seven assists in in ten games, while adding 21 penalty minutes. On the season he ranks in the top 20 in points, and in the top 25 in penalty minutes. Svechnikov’s shot is a huge asset, and although he doesn’t rip it an overwhelming amount (163 shots in 47 games), he scores at an extremely high rate (19.6%).

Western Hockey League

Dryden Hunt – Moose Jaw Warriors – NR in Dobber’s Top 200 Prospect Forwards

Bending the rules since Hunt was undrafted, but I couldn’t overlook the month that he put together in February. The current WHL points leader scored 19 goals and added nine assists last month in just 12 games, including a remarkable five hat tricks. Hunt’s 54 goals on the season are first in the league by a 14 goal margin over Brandon’s Jayce Hawryluk. As one of the leagues most sought after undrafted free agents, the winger was rewarded for his tremendous season last week, signing an entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers. 

Joe Hicketts – Victoria Royals – NR in Dobber’s Top 50 Prospect Defensemen

The undersized, yet dynamic defenseman had an expected slow month of January after returning from a disappointing WJC with Canada, but picked up his play in February.  Victoria’s captain paced the team with 15 points (5G, 10A) and a +13 rating in the month, leading them to a 12-2 record. Victoria are currently sitting atop the Western Division of the WHL, battling Kelowna for the division title down the stretch.

College Hockey

Tyler Motte – University of Michigan – NR in Dobber’s Top 200 Prospect Forwards

One of the dynamic trio of Motte, Kyle Connor and J.T. Compher could be mentioned in this space every month. Since we discussed Connor in last month’s edition, its time to give Motte his due. An undersized prospect drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, Motte is the NCAA’s current goal leader with 29. He has benefitted greatly from playing alongside Compher and Connor, given that he scored 18 goals total in his first two seasons at Michigan, but with added offensive responsibility has come results. In February, Motte scored in all but one of his seven contests, and had multi point games four times. His 11 points last month were good for a 1.57 point per game pace. Even more impressive, of his 29 goals this season, only six have come with the man advantage.

Max Letunov – University of Connecticut – 101^st in Dobber’s Top 200 Prospect Forwards

Letunov was Arizona’s bounty for shipping out Zbynek Michalek at last years trade deadline. He has had a stellar season at UCONN, ranking fourth in scoring among freshmen, and tied for 21^st overall with 40 points in his first 36 collegiate games. The 6-4 center, a former second round pick of the Blues leads college hockey with 19 powerplay assists. In February, Letunov picked up ten points in eight games, failing to record a point in just one game, a 4-0 shutout loss against the defending NCAA champion Providence Friars. The team is incredibly reliant on their star freshman, as they have not won a game in which he has failed to recorded a point (0-8-0). Letunov and fellow freshman Tage Thompson (draft eligible in 2016) have scored 30 of the teams 88 goals this season.

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