Future Watch: 5 rookies tearing up the AHL this season

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Lucas Elvenes has been probably the greatest gamers within the AHL this season, and he is only a rookie. This is a have a look at 5 newcomers tearing it up within the AHL in 2019-20.Lucas Elvenes|Chicago WolvesWelcome to the Lucas Elvenes present.
In our 2019-20 Yearbook, Elvenes didn’t crack the highest 10 NHL prospects record, which is sensible on condition that he was coming off a disappointing season with Rogle within the Swedish league the place he failed to point out a lot enchancment. However up till a number of weeks in the past, the 20-year-old Chicago Wolves heart was the one participant to guide the AHL in scoring this yr. While you begin the season with 19 factors in your first 13 video games – together with a four-point North American debut – you’re certain to be close to the highest. AHL veterans Reid Boucher and Drake Batherson have since tied for the highest spot with 34 factors with Elvenes falling to fifth, however he’s nonetheless eight factors away from seven-year AHLer Curtis McKenzie for the Wolves’ scoring lead.
Yeah, Elvenes is beginning to show everybody improper. Elvenes, who was a fifth-round draft choose by Vegas in 2017, has thrived since transferring to North America, with only a few changes wanted early on. His pace has translated effectively, he sees the ice in addition to he did on the larger European surfaces and he’s the one producing most of his line’s scoring probabilities this yr. With the season nearing the midway level, Elvenes sits 4 factors forward of Jack Studnicka for the AHL scoring lead amongst rookies. He’s not a giant shooter with simply 36 pictures by way of 30 video games, however the pass-first pivot has a seven-point hole over Windfall’s Robert Lantosi (13) with 22 assists.
The competitors for the Dudley (Purple) Garrett Memorial Award for the AHL’s high rookie is getting nearer, however it’s nonetheless Elvenes’ trophy to lose. Listed below are the opposite high candidates to date:
Jack Studnicka, C, 20 (Windfall)A yr in the past, he was enjoying an vital function with Canada’s World Junior Championship group in British Columbia. Now, he’s tied with Paul Carey for the scoring lead on Windfall with 25 factors. Studnicka has shortly cemented himself as probably the greatest up-and-coming centermen within the Bruins’ system, utilizing his high-octane vitality to create performs for himself. The sensible, two-way ahead performed in two video games with the Bruins and didn’t look out of tempo, recording an help in his NHL debut. Studnicka is excessive on Boston’s call-up record, however to date he’s been instrumental to Windfall this season.
Brogan Rafferty, D, 24 (Utica)Rafferty didn’t begin the season excessive up on the depth chart after a three-year run with NCAA Quinnipiac, however with 24 factors in 29 video games, Rafferty leads all defensemen in scoring, no matter expertise. Positive, enjoying on a high-scoring Comets group helps, however he leads AHL defensemen with 10 multi-point nights, together with a four-point effort in opposition to Bridgeport earlier this month. The Canucks have already got stable offensive defensemen in Quinn Hughes and Tyler Myers, however don’t be shocked to see Rafferty earn a spot later within the yr.
Mikhail Berdin, G, 21 (Manitoba)The Moose has performed in 31 video games this yr and Berdin has participated in 27 of them – that’s a heavy workload when you think about that simply three different AHL goalies have performed in 20. The Moose sit sixth out of eight groups within the Central Division, however it could have been worse if not for some huge performances from Berdin. The truth is, he appears to play higher when he faces extra alternatives: within the eight video games the place he had no less than 40 saves this yr, he has a 5-Zero-Three document with 17 objectives in opposition to. Having Eric Comrie again within the secure means Berdin gained’t be relied on as a lot within the coming months, however he nonetheless has NHL backup potential. Berdin performed in 23 video games final yr, with 25 video games being the utmost allowed earlier than he couldn’t be thought-about a rookie, so Berdin simply made this record.
Jason Robertson, LW, 20 (Texas)Merely put, the Stars will not be a superb group this yr. With an 11-14-Three document by way of 28 video games, the Stars sit final within the Central Division, effectively out of attain of a playoff spot. Robertson, nevertheless, has been a vivid spot with a team-leading 11 objectives and 21 factors by way of 28 video games. Whereas his numbers aren’t sufficient to blow anybody away, he’s nonetheless managing to do lots with somewhat in Texas and he’s coming off of profitable the CHL’s high scorer award final yr with 117 factors between Niagara and Kingston. Robertson is one among Dallas’ high prospects, and he’s dwelling as much as the hype proper now.
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Tags: prospects, ahl, listsConnect: Concerning the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.