The third round is where the crapshoot really happens. Most years you may find one diamond in the rough, but for the most part you find depth players, backup goalies, or career juniors.  This year, however, we should find a plethora of role players, and certainly a couple gems.  Teams can certainly help themselves in this round.


33) D-Jakob Hamr 223 TPE


Hamr is a stay at home defenseman with a mean streak.  He loves to hit, loves to block shots, and loves to sit in the sin bin.  He will never be mistaken for an offensive threat.  Hamilton looks his enthusiasm and his physical play but he will need to learn to stay out of the box if he wants to play in the SHL.

Projection: #4/#5 Defenseman, possible #3 if disciplined

34) (via ) G-Markus Tegernako 243 TPE


As with Venables, Tegernako is tough to gauge where to put him.  He is a big reason why the Lions was not worse than it already was.  The hybrid goalie has a quick glove and does a good job of controlling rebounds. His numbers may seem a little down, but given the porous defensive scheme in front of him, they are good.  The Platoon will look to him to one day replace Biscuit.

Projection: Starting Goaltender

35) (via , , ) C-Daniel Bischoff 263 TPE


Bischoff comes into the draft having played for the worst team in the SMJHL.  So it is hard to gauge how good his talents may be.  His face-off percentage is okay for a rookie, but compared to some of his fellow rookies, he is far behind.  The Stampede like his offensive instincts, despite the lacking numbers.  Being a center though, Bischoff will have to improve in his zone, in order to be taken as a more serious prospect.

Projection: 3rd Line Center.

36) (via ) RW-Yamamoto Mitsuharu 246 TPE


Mitsuharu played in all situations this last season for St. Louis.  A natural passer, Mitsuharu has the ability to become an elite playmaker at the SHL level.  Surprisingly though, Yamamoto was very shot happy as well.  He finished first amongst all SMJHL rookies in shots fired.  Mitsuharu does have first or second round talent, but it is hard to put him up there with players who have shown a little more development thus far.  Do not be surprised if he becomes one of the better players from this draft.  The Specters definitely get a ‘steal’ here, but the depth this season is incredible.

Projection: Top 6 Forward, probably Top Line Winger

37) (via ) C-Marcus Weiser 248 TPE


Weiser is a bruising forward, who shows that he might be able to evolve into a well rounded center.  His faceoff percentage is especially high for a first year junior.  While he may have only 3 goals to his name, he has shown to score them in clutch situations with two game-winning goals and a powerplay goal.  The Wolfpack like that he can throw around his weight, while not taking too many penalties.  His faceoff ability will give him a chance to make the next level.

Projection: Bottom 6 Forward

38) (via ) LW-François Breton 231 TPE


Breton’s rookie campaign in Vancouver shows a promising prospect.  His P/20 was amongst some of the best in the rookie class.  He played limited minutes, but the talent is there.  Tampa Bay takes him here for his 200 foot game, knowing that he can put points on the board.  

Projection: Middle 6 Forward

39) (via ) LW-Thomas Vanice 230 TPE


An undrafted free agent to the Lions, Vanice, proved to be strong player in the 36 games he played in.  A prospect that was a little behind, stayed a little behind because of the depth of this class.  One area the Stars will look for him to improve is in his own zone.  If Vanice can provide that he will certainly benefit his team in the long run.

Projection: Top 6 Forward

40) (via ) LW-Niklas Fuhrberg 222 TPE


Fuhrberg works hard, but seems to lack in all areas of his game.  He plays fairly disciplined for a power forward, but his hits are a little low.  As with many Lions his defensive zone awareness needs improvement.  New England looks at Fuhrberg as a project that may take the full 3 years to bear fruit.  For now he will work on his game in Lethbridge.

Projection: 3rd/4th Line Winger

41) (via ) C-Michael Fitted 212 TPE


Fitted only played 42 games in the SMJHL due to some visa issues keeping him from the draft.  Due to his late arrival, Montreal took him from his natural center position and moved him to wing.  While he played limited minutes, Fitted put up some decent offensive numbers.  Expect him to get some more time next season, and possibly get moved back to center.  Hamilton needs to build their prospect pool, and Fitted should be a solid pick to make that happen.

Projection: Middle 6 Forward

42) (via ) G-Tobias Lindeman 221 TPE


Lindeman is a large goaltender who saw mostly backup duty in Anaheim.  His numbers were on par with many of his peers, but most of them had starting duties.  He has a quick glove, and controls the pucks that do happen to bounce off of him.  He will look to get prime minutes in net this season.  Chicago has an interesting prospect, but one that is too early to tell how good he really is.

Projection: Possible Starter, Definite Backup

43) (via ) D-Hans Schweinsteiger 212 TPE


Schweinsteiger was an undrafted player that Montreal brought in to help with their championship run.  Though large, Hans isn’t the most physical player you are going to find, but he plays with solid positioning.  He will get more minutes next season, and we will see how he does against the better players in the SMJHL.  The reigning champs of the SHL, Edmonton, draft Schweinsteiger for his solid all around game.

Projection: #3/#4 Defenseman

44) LW-Andrei Petrikov 216 TPE



Petrikov is a prospect who should make the next level.  The winger has some moderate skill in the offensive zone, and will see improvement in his own zone with more taching.  The Dragons feel like Petrikov will fit nicely as a grinder in the future, but may have to wait three or so seasons, to see that fulfilled.

Projection: Bottom 6 Grinder

45) (via ) LW-Suzuki Namokato 219 TPE


Namokato played pretty well in his rookie campaign.  The sniping Japanese player struggled too score as much as he would have liked, but his shot total is a little down for a sniper.  The North Stars get a player who could develop into someone who provides some key offense, but only if they can find a way to build his confidence in his skill.

Projection: Middle 6 Forward

46) (via ) D-Flash Gordon 211 TPE


Flash Gordon is an interesting prospect.  He shows to be talented in his own, owning a +14 amongst the best in the rookie class.  However, he is prone to taking too many bad penalties.  In an era where the enforcer is dead and teams look to avoid the PK, Gordon finds it hard to be higher up on the board.  Perhaps a team may take him higher, but only if he is committed to being more disciplined in the future.  He can contribute offensively when given opportunities, and is a shot blocking machine, but that isn’t enough to move him up our board.

Projection: #4/#5 Defenseman, with discipline #2/#3

47) (via ) C-Johnny Patey 216 TPE


Johnny Patey struggled greatly in his own zone for the Lions.  His -23 was amongst the worst of his peers, and being a center, that cannot be acceptable.  Some positives to his game are when he scores they are usually clutch goals, given his 3 game winners, and his faceoff percentage is very respectable in his first season. Both Lethbridge and Winnipeg will expect some better things for Patey, namely his defense, next season.

Projection: #3 Center

48) (via ) G-Mitchell Maverick 240 TPE


Maverick put up solid numbers in his first SMJHL season, but his training seemed to start to wane at the end of the season.  With good body positioning and a good glove, he limits his rebounds.  A key given that his rebound control is less than adequate.  The Stars select him as a probable backup, but hope for more if he comes back to the training facilities.

Projection: Career Backup