This week’s prospects include Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks), Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack) & Dereck Baribeau (Val-d'Or Foreurs).

Bryan Heim/Portland Winterhawks

Cody Glass- Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Position: C
Born: April 1, 1999 – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height: 6’2"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Drafted: 2014 WHL Draft - Round #1 (19th overall) by the Portland Winterhawks
Cody Glass is a competitor and enjoyed a huge growth spurt since the end of last season which saw him grow two inches and put on nearly 25 pounds. It has showed as he is among the league leaders in the WHL. He has a ton of upside up the middle at centre and can also play the wing. His speed can burn any defender on the outside or down the middle. He is good in the faceoff circle and does a good job of finding open space and getting the puck to the net. He displays the smarts on the ice to know where the puck is going to be rather than where it is. Does a good job protecting the puck with a defenceman all over him in the offensive zone. Has a quick hands and a deceptive release that surprises goalies. Tough to knock off the puck and can make plays and finish plays. 

DID YOU KNOW? Glass scored his first career WHL Hat Trick in a 9-2 blowout at home against the visiting Calgary Hitmen in mid-November. He finished the evening with 3 goals and 2 assists. It was the first game Glass had scored more than 3 points in a game in the WHL.

Terry Wilson / OHL Images

Nick Suzuki - Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Position: C
Born: August 10, 1999 – London, Ontario, Canada
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 183 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Drafted: 2015 OHL Draft - Round #1 (14th Overall) by Owen Sound Attack
Nick Suzuki is a legitimate scoring threat every time he sets foot on the ice. Tremendous puck handler who does a great job of keeping control of the puck while flying at top speed. Has a knack for going to the scoring areas and making himself open for a pass or to pounce on any loose pucks in the crease. Tremendous vision. Can deliver a tape-to-tape pass from across the ice and follows his pass up the ice. His defensive game could use some work. Needs to engage more. Very disciplined and stays out of the penalty box. Has a ton of offensive upside. One of the youngest draft eligible players in the draft, Suzuki won’t turn 18 until two months after the draft.

DID YOU KNOW?  Suzuki scored his first OHL goal in his very first OHL game in September 2015 in Kitchener. He had his first two-goal game against Guelph in late October 2015 against former London Jr. Knights midget teammate Isaac Ratcliffe, who is also eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

Foreurs de Val-d’Or photo

Dereck Baribeau -Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL) 
Position: G
Born: January 22, 1999 – L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, Canada
Height: 6’5"
Weight: 193 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Drafted: 2015 QMJHL Draft – Round #1 (5th overall) by Val-d’Or Foreurs
Déreck Baribeau is a huge netminder who has all the physical tools NHL clubs look for in a goalie: size, flexibility and athleticism. He will make the first save but leaves the door open for rebounds too often. For a big kid, he is very quick going from post-to-post and gets a good push-off sliding through his crease. Has a quick glove hand but seems to get beat often up high glove side. He needs to have confidence on his glove side and set it up a little higher. Overcommits too often and leaves the back door of the net wide open. Plays better under pressure. Has the size and athleticism to be good as he continues to work on his techniques. 

DID YOU KNOW? Baribeau has an opportunity to get a lot of quality starts as the #1 goalie with veteran goalie Etienne Montpetit out 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury.