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Prospects Unlimited 2024-25
In the 2024-25 edition of our annual Prospects Unlimited issue, we count down the top 100 21-and-under players in the world (with features on Bedard, Celebrini, Demidov, McGroarty and Benson) and profile the Washingon Capitals development system. In addition, we have NHL team pages with features, grades and full rosters for each organization.
NEW YORK RANGERS
> THE HOCKEY world has become a bastion for second-generation talents in recent years, and while the majority of the dads were also stars on the ice, a growing number of families are crossing over. One of the latest is New York Rangers first-rounder E.J. Emery, taken 30th overall in 2024. His father, Eric Emery, was a linebacker in the CFL for Calgary, B.C. and Ottawa in the mid-1980s. As son E.J. aged into his teens, he had to make a tough decision between being a running back or a defenseman. “Growing up, I played football a lot, and I love both,” Emery said. “But the love for hockey overtook it.” Football’s loss was hockey’s gain. The 6-foot-3 Emery became one of the most intriguing blueliners in last year’s draft class. His…
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
> THE WORLD JUNIOR Summer Showcase takes place in the summer, but it can be a springboard for those who come prepared. One of Finland’s most pleasant surprises this year was center Joona Saarelainen, a fifth-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2024. Though he’s not big at 5-foot-9, Saarelainen showed a knack around the net and ended the Michigan-based tourney with four points in four games – making him one of the top producers overall. So what went into his success? “Right place at the right time,” he said. “Of course, you need some lucky bounces, too.” But Saarelainen clearly knows where to go, and he pounces when opportunities present themselves. Early on in his domestic season, he was averaging more than a point per game in junior and had two points in…
EDMONTON OILERS
> IN OHL CIRCLES, the London Knights have long been revered for running their team a cut above. Sam O’Reilly seconds that sentiment. “It doesn’t get better than London,” he said. “Nine thousand people every night in the stands cheering us on. The group of guys we have down there, on top of the coaching staff, is pretty unbelievable.” Last spring, O’Reilly’s Knights captured their fifth league championship since Mark and Dale Hunter purchased the team in 2000. Big playoff runs often put draft-eligible players under favorable spotlights, and O’Reilly was no exception. A former defenseman, he moved up front during his U-16 season with the GTHL’s Vaughan Kings, leading to O’Reilly being a second-round selection of the Knights in 2022. He started at right wing, but last season, coach Dale Hunter shifted…
TOP 100 21 AND UNDER: 40-47
>40. MICHAEL MISA POS: LW | AGE: 17 SAGINAW SPIRIT (OHL) DRAFT: 2025 > Misa earned exceptional status after breaking Connor McDavid’s scoring record at the 2022 U-16 OHL Cup. Saginaw took him with the No. 1 pick in that year’s OHL draft, and Misa repaid the Spirit by helping them win the 2024 Memorial Cup on home ice. He started this year on fire, with 21 points in his first 10 games. >41. PAVEL MINTYUKOV POS: D | AGE: 20 ANAHEIM DUCKS (NHL) DRAFT: 10TH, 2022 (ANA) > Few freshmen blueliners were thrown into duty as difficult as Mintyukov, who played consistent top-four minutes on a bottom-feeding Ducks team last year. While he ran hot and cold, his overall play was tremendous and a sign of a confident young defender with a ton of upside. His…
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