This week’s prospects include  Dillon Dube of the Kelowna Rockets, Alex DeBrincat of the Erie Otters & Evan Fitzpatrick of the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

Photo courtesy of WHL.ca

Dillon Dube – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Position: Centre
Born: July 20, 1998 – Cochrane, Alberta, Canada
Height: 5’10"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Dube is just another product of a successful corps of young forwards coming up through Kelowna. Winning is in his blood and he will do whatever it takes to win. A key penalty killer on the team, he will sacrifice his body blocking shots and then transit in his game to offense by using his breakaway speed out of the neutral zone. He will take face offs in the defensive zone and set up the play using real good offensive instincts. Has success from in close and in the slot. Creates a lot of turnovers and uses his speed effectively. A real, hard shot – he likes to shoot from the circles.

Grade: Dube has all the tools to sneak into the first round if his success continues. Had a real scare in November when he took a stick to the eye but only missed 3 weeks. B+

Terry Wilson / OHL Images

Alex DeBrincat – Erie Otters (OHL)
Position: Right Wing
Born: December 17, 1997 – Farmington Hills, Michigan USA
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 160 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Small scoring machine was put to the task of scoring without Connor McDavid this season and has sparkled. He uses his tiny frame to be creative, using his speed to spin in and out of tight spots. Has very soft hands and a quick release around the net. Great instincts and plays a very good full 200-foot game. Will battle in the corners and muck it out without hesitation. 

Grade: Despite his small stature, he has shown he can score and is not afraid to get knocked around at the same time. An ultra competitive and prolific goal scorer. A-

Photo courtesy of en.lhjmq.qc.ca     

Evan Fitzpatrick – Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
Position: Goalie
Born: January 28, 1998 – St. Johns, Newfoundland Canada
Height: 6’4"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Catches: Left
A massive goaltender who takes up a lot of space in the net. Athletic and extremely mobile in his net. He needs to have confidence in coming out and playing at the top of his crease rather than staying deep in his net and not challenging shooters. Really battles traffic in front of the net and struggles to find the puck. Has had his share of really good games and some really bad ones. If he can find the value in himself, he can be an extremely good goaltender.

Grade: His size and mobility are keeping him in the talks but is still working his way to the top of Draft eligible goaltenders. B-