Most teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) announced their game before the start of the season. After impressing in training camps, several promising teenagers are set to make their long-awaited debuts.
Here are some of the young players who impressed their respective teams this fall:
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Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski – Chicago Blackhawks
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Although no one really expected that Bedard wouldn’t make it into Chicago’s lineup, the forward still had to prove that all expectations were justified. The Regina Pats product is already his team’s No. 1 center.
On defense, Korchinski moved straight from the Western Junior League (WHL) to the NHL. The 19-year-old athlete is responsible in both directions of the ice and will strengthen the squad on the blue line.
Adam Fantilli – Columbus Blue Jackets
There was also little doubt about Fantilli, the third pick in the most recent draft. The Ontario native is praised for his maturity and appears to be one of the best equipped rookie players this year. At the University of Michigan in 2022-2023, he collected no fewer than 65 points in 36 games. His 19th birthday falls on the same day as the Jackets’ first game, Thursday.
Leo Carlsson, Tristan Luneau and Pavel Mintyukov – Anaheim Ducks
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For the first time since 2019, the top trio of the latest amateur auction at the Bettman circuit starts the season. The Ducks caused some surprise when they selected Carlsson in the second round, but they had big plans for him. After playing the last two seasons with the men’s team in Sweden, the center is ready for the next step.
Luneau and Mintyukov are two players who were named the top defensemen in the QMJHL and OHL in 2023, respectively. The Quebecer and the Russian each collected more than 80 points in the junior ranks last year. This is a very special accomplishment for Luneau, who made his name with the Gatineau Olympian, a second-round pick in 2022.
Zach Benson-Buffalo Sabres
The diminutive winger has accomplished a feat since entering the Sabers’ lineup as the 13th pick in the 2023 auction. The British Columbian had an excellent training camp, which convinced the organization to make room for him. Last year he led the Winnipeg Ice with 98 points.
Logan Cooley – Arizona Coyotes
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Like Fantilli, Cooley had a spectacular college season. The 19-year-old American stated that he intended to play a second season in Minnesota before trying his luck in Arizona and eventually changed his mind, much to the Coyotes’ delight. This made Cooley the third pick in the 2022 draft. He already seems to be ahead of those who were selected before him: Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec.
Fraser Minten – Toronto Maple Leafs
Fraser Minten is a candidate that few expected so early. In Toronto, the arrival of Matthew Knies has already satisfied fans’ appetites, but now comes a new 19-year-old forward. The Vancouver native completed two and a half seasons with the Kamloops Blazers. He was the 38th overall pick in 2022.
Easton Cowan, the 28th player in the class of 2023, is still part of the Toronto group, according to the website CapFriendly, but is expected to have returned to the London Knights to continue his education.
Ivan Miroshnichenko – Washington Capitals
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There’s a new Russian in town in Washington. Ivan Miroshnichenko (20th in 2022) will have the opportunity to study alongside Alexander Ovechkin. Since he is also a left winger, he will undoubtedly get more playing time with the Capitals than he did with the Omsk Avangard last season. He finished his first season in the KHL with four points in 23 games.
Also featured: Matthew Coronato (Calgary Flames), Mackie Samoskevich (Florida Panthers), Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils) and Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild)