It’s never too early to look ahead. Despite the 2019 NHL Draft still being just over seven months away, some organizations have begun planning for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Several NHL organizations employ an amateur scout whose primary role is to keep tabs on underage prospects. While most of the attention for this year’s draft is on players born between September 16, 2000 and September 15, 2001, these scouts would be honing in on the players born between September 16, 2001 and September 15, 2002.
One thought to having a scout focus on the following year’s draft is to have a better idea on how players are trending. For example, it’s easier to know if a player’s development track is trending upward or downward. It also gives cross-over scouts a head start the following season.
While New England is primed for a big 2019 NHL Draft, the 2020 class could be a down year comparatively. The best ’02 in New England is Matt Beniers, a late ’02 who isn’t eligible until 2021.
Nine New England prospects were drafted in Dallas in 2018. These things are cyclical and 2020 could have less players drafted, but with nine being the most recent standard, here is a look at the top New England prospects for 2020.
The top North American prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft appears to be Alex Lafreniere, a left wing with Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL. Swedish right wing Alexander Holtz of Djurgardens IF J20 is thought to be the top European prospect for 2020.
2020 NHL Draft Prospects
1. Sam Colangelo
Lawrence Academy, 12/26/00, RW, Right Shot, 6-1/185
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
The Stoneham, Mass., native is a late ’00 who has a strong offensive skill set. He can really shoot it, but his vision and passing ability are sometimes under-appreciated. He had two goals in five games at the prestigious Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament this past summer. While his skating isn’t a strength of his game, it has gotten better as he’s improved his lower body strength. When he’s engaged and not floating, he’s a threat to score every time he has the puck on his stick. His shot and the way he thinks the game offensively could have him picked as high as the second round.
2. Riley Duran
Lawrence Academy, 1/25/02, C, Right Shot, 6-0/160
NCAA Commit: Providence
Duran’s game has really taken off over the past eight months. From Woburn, Mass., he plays a very solid, north-south power game. He’s gaining confidence and it showed in his offensive production with the Cape Cod Whalers this fall. His physical tools and athleticism are all very good. He played his freshman year for his father, Jim Duran, at Woburn High School before playing last year at Malden Catholic. His dad played collegiately at Plattsburgh State and his sister, Kayla, is one of the top women’s soccer players in the ACC as a freshman at Boston College.
3. David Sacco
Lawrence Academy, 1/3/02, C, Right Shot, 6-1/181
NCAA Commit: New Hampshire
Sacco struggles with inconsistency, but when he’s locked in, he’s really good. Such was the case a couple of weekends ago at the Massachusetts Hockey District Tournament where he was a big part of the success for the Cape Cod Whalers. He has the size and he’s still filling into his frame. He has an explosive stride and can drive the net. He has a hard, heavy shot and he’s very physical, will hit, and play a mean game. He has a ton of upside. This will be his first season of prep hockey after playing at St. John’s Prep. His father, David, played at BU and had a brief pro career. His uncle, Joe Sacco, is the assistant coach of the Boston Bruins and played in 738 NHL games after a stellar career with the Terriers.
4. Jack Williams
Selects Academy, 3/2/02, RW, Right Shot, 5-11/165
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
The Scarborough, Maine, native has a great shot and is a pure finisher. He excels at going hard, north and south. He will recover pucks and can make a lot of plays below the dots. He can come off the wall and rip shots. He’s hard to knock off pucks and strong on his skates. He’s played with the U.S. at the Five Nations Tournament and had two goals in two games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL.
5. Brett Berard
U.S. NTDP U-17, 9/9/02, LW, Left Shot, 5-8/140
NCAA Commit: Providence
Berard is on the smaller side, but he’s a smart, skilled winger who can produce offensively. His hockey sense and compete level have allowed him to compete with much older players in USHL competition this season. He’s willing to go to the dirty areas and he plays the game with some jam. He’s not the most dynamic player and due to his size, he’ll fall lower than he would otherwise. He played at Bishop Hendricken before going to the NTDP. His father, Dave Berard, is the current head coach of Holy Cross and played college hockey at Providence.
6. Nick Capone
Salisbury, 12/17/00, LW, Left Shot, 6-2/210
NCAA Commit: Maine
Capone is a really fun player to watch and will do even better once he makes the move to the USHL and college. He’s huge and he hits hard. He loves to play physically. It’s what will get him drafted. He has a solid, albeit not dynamic, offensive skill set when it comes to playing below the dots. He can use his size to protect pucks and make hard plays down low. His skating is still an issue, but it’s gotten better.
7. Ian Moore
St. Mark’s, 1/4/02, D, Right Shot, 6-1/155
Moore is a player who has really elevated his game over the last few months. He played up with the ‘01s when he was younger, but he’s a late bloomer who is finally starting to become more assertive and insert himself into the offense on a more consistent basis. He’s got skill and good size from the blue line. He has a hard shot and can get pucks through.
8. James Tepper
Proctor, 2/20/02, RW, Right Shot, 6-0/165
Tepper is a really intriguing prospect. He has excelled at Shrewsbury High School, scoring the game-winning goal at the TD Garden in the MIAA Division 3 State Championship game this past March. He’s making the move to Proctor to play for Mike Walsh. He skates well and is a winger who likes to play with an edge. He’ll get in on the forecheck and throw his weight around. He can finish and his stock will soar as he proves himself in prep over the next two years. His father, Steve Tepper, played at Maine and had a brief pro career.
9. Drew Commesso
U.S. NTDP U-17, 7/19/02, G, Catches Left, 6-1/170
NCAA Commit: Boston University
The Norwell, Mass., native is the top goaltender for the NTDP and combines decent size with very strong fundamentals. He’s a technically sound goaltender, whose only issue is he sometimes goes down too early. He played the past two seasons at St. Sebastian’s before earning the call by USA Hockey.
