This week’s prospects include Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets), Austen Keating (Ottawa 67’s) & Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar).

(Marissa Baecker)

Kole Lind -  Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Position: RW
Born: October 16, 1998 – Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height: 6’1"
Weight: 176 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Drafted: 2013 WHL Draft - Round #4 (87th overall) by the Kelowna Rockets
Kole Lind is a real strong skater and is well balanced on his edges and can turn on a dime. He has a cannon of a shot and a good snap release on wrist shots. He doesn’t miss the net often when he shoots. Still growing and will grow in to a premier power forward in the league. Good zone entry and doesn’t hold on to the puck too long. At times, it looks like he gives up on a play and retreats for a change. He needs to play every shift hard and continue to play with an edge as that is when he plays his best. Gets involved in every play and is not afraid to take some abuse parked in front of the net on the power play. He has good size and will continue to get stronger.

DID YOU KNOW?  Lind might be one of the purest goal scorers in the draft class. Having played alongside Dillon Dube & Tyson Baillie for most of his rookie season, he posted 14 goals and 41 points in 70 games. He is above a point-per-game average this season. 

Aaron Bell/OHL Images

Austen Keating - Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Position: LW
Born: March 7, 1999 – Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 2015 OHL Draft - Round #1 (16th Overall) by the Ottawa 67’s
Austen Keating is a real smooth playmaker who loves to create offence on the rush. Creative and patient with the puck. Real good puck possession player who likes to dictate the pace of the game while the puck is on his stick. Will deliver tape-to-tape passing and has quick, soft hands around the net. Good shot who keeps his release point hidden and will shoot into traffic using the defenceman as a screen. Smooth, fluid skater with good agility going all four directions. Works hard on his defensive game but tends to lose battles along the boards and in high traffic areas due to being outmuscled. Needs to add muscle to be more effective in the defensive zone.

DID YOU KNOW? Keating captained the Guelph Gryphons Minor Midget AAA squad during the 2014-15 season and scored 30 goals and 60 assists in 36 regular season games.

 
Twitter photo

Ivan Chekhovich - Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) 
Position: C
Born: January 4, 1999 – Yekaterinburg, Russia
Height: 5’10"
Weight: 176 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 22016 CHL Import Draft – Round #1 (3rd overall) by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Ivan Chekhovich is a real quick, agile skater with impressive edge work and an explosive first step that enables him to have good acceleration down ice. Dangerous off the rush with effective stickhandling, an accurate wrist shot, and good passing ability. Chekhovich has shown he can play both an offensive and defensive game as he skates hard to backcheck. A small(ish) frame but determined to make space for himself by driving to the net protecting the puck well in the process. Chekhovich’s speed and puck skills are evident each shift and he is showing steady growth of improvement as the season goes on.

DID YOU KNOW? Chekhovich is coming off an impressive Ivan Hlinka tournament this past summer where he displayed his speed and determination to win. Playing for the Russian U-18 squad, he posted two goals and four points in five games, including a nice deflection goal against the Canadians.