With Alexander Command getting moved, Matias Vanhanen becomes the top unsigned forward prospect in the Devils pool. This post highlights the Finnish wingers blazing NCAA start.
Vanhanen Watch
In the era of Sunny Mehta, the Devils depth chart seems to be in a constant state of flux. After the Connor Hellebuyck trade, the Devils clear top number one unsigned forward prospect is off to Winnipeg. That leaves the new Devils GM’s second round selection in this summer’s draft, winger Matias Vanhanen, as the next man up.
So, how is he doing?
Pretty well so far.
It’s very early yet, but six points in his first five games puts Vanhanen amongst the elite freshman in the NCAA. Vanhanen has been playing on Boston College’s top line alongside two former first round picks, center and 6’7 giant Dean Letourneau and fellow Finnish winger Oscar Hemming. Far from being a passenger on that line, as of Sunday, Vanhanen was tied with Letourneau for the team lead in points with six.
Hopefully, it’s a sign of a bright future.
Around the Pool:
- Boston University center Conrad Fondrk has returned from injury with a vengeance with three points in two games this week, including his first goal of the season.
- As of Sunday, center Lavr Gashilov leads the MHL in scoring with 19 points in 14 games.
- Goaltender Trenten Bennett has been strong since returning from preseason injury, winning his last two starts including this shutout victory.
Bennett has a 2-0-1 record with a 1.94 GAA and .938 SV% to start the season for Flint.
- It may still be in the U20s, but after missing an entire season to injury, defenseman Sigge Holmgren is starting to return to form with a goal and seven assists in 15 games. The improvement has been enough for some scouts to take notice.
- Speaking of the Swedish U20s, center Gustav Hillstrom was recently sent down and promptly scored in his first game playing for Brynas IF U20. Hillstrom has had a difficult time earning quality minutes with Brynas’s stacked center depth.
- Lastly, the Utica Comets split its two games this week and are 4-2 on the season. The Comets are misleadingly in 7th in the North, but with two or three games in hand on just about every team in the division, and in terms of win percentage, they would be in 3rd place. Lenni Hameenaho still leads the Comets with six points in six games. Jakub Malek has the better goalie numbers with a 1-1 record, 2.04 GAA and .902 SV%. Anton Silaev leads the team in +/- with +5, the only Utica defenseman to play multiple games with a positive number in that stat, and two better than top forwards Lenni Hameenaho’s and Marc McLaughlin’s +3.
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