This week’s prospects include Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders), Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph Storm) & Pavel Koltygin (Drummondville Voltigeurs).

Candice Ward

Ian Scott, Goalie, Prince Albert Raiders, WHL
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 169 lbs.
Catches: Left
Born: January 11, 1999 – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Draft: 2014 WHL Draft - Round #1 (9th overall) by Prince Albert Raiders

Ian Scott is one of the lone bright spots on the lowly Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL’s Eastern Division. A tall, mobile goaltender who has faced an incredible number of shots this season. His broad shoulders help take away the top portion of the net and helps him stay square to shooters. Controls his rebounds and is quick to cover up if there are any.  Does some things that most goalies struggle with at this age. Knows where he is in his net and uses his long arms to get into a stance that takes away large portions of the net. Likes to poke check pucks away out of his crease. He puts in the extra work at practices and continues to work on fundamentals. Gets across his crease very quickly and closes the gaps with a sense of urgency.  

DID YOU KNOW? Being selected ninth overall in the 2014 Bantam Draft made Scott the highest drafted goalie since the Tri-City Americans selected Carey Price with the seventh overall pick in the 2002 Bantam Draft. 

Terry Wilson / OHL Images

Isaac Ratcliffe, LW, Guelph Storm, OHL
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 195 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Born: February 15, 1999 – London, Ontario, Canada
Draft: 2015 OHL Draft - Round #1 (15th overall) by Guelph Storm
With his towering frame, Isaac Ratcliffe is a man among boys who possesses a lot of potential due to his combination of size, skill, and skating ability. Real aggressive in driving the net and has good hands while at top speed. Relentless on the forecheck with big hard strides. However, for a big man, he lacks the leg strength he should have and that should be his top priority moving forward. Cycles well down below the goal line in the offensive zone and has a deceptive release that surprises goalies. Likes to park himself in front of the net and wreak havoc for goalies. Shattered his point totals from a season ago in the first two months this season. Has a hint of nastiness and not afraid to drop the gloves. Can be a real force  and a premier power forward at the next level.

DID YOU KNOW? Ratcliffe posted five goals and 13 points in his rookie season with Guelph in 2015-16. He was honoured with being named Guelph’s co-rookie of the year along with Liam Stevens. However, Guelph finished the season with the worst record in the OHL (13-49-4-2).

Drummondville Voltigeurs

Pavel Koltygin, LW, Drummondville Voltigeurs, QMJHL
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 192 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Born: February 17, 1999 – Moskva, Russia
Draft: 2016 CHL Import Draft – Round #1 (9th overall) by Drummondville Voltigeurs
Pavel Koltygin is a real surprise this season, adjusting well to the North American sheet and putting up respectable numbers. Has a good combination of size that he knows how to use and a real knack for driving the net and scoring. Good instincts in the offensive zone and can find the open ice and get into a good shooting position where he can release a good, accurate shot. Developing an NHL calibre wrist shot that he puts all his weight into. Has shown improvement in his defensive play over the season but still needs to show consistency in working his way back to the neutral zone to back check. Excels on the power play and can move the puck just as much as he will shoot. 

DID YOU KNOW? Koltygin was a member of the ill-fated Team Russia U-18 MHL squad as a 16-year-old. The biggest doping scandal in hockey history hit the Russian under-18 squad the day before they were set to depart for Grand Forks, N.D., to play in 2016 U18 World Championships.