New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 11/14/17

The sixth week of the 2017-18 prospect update is here. It's highlighted by prospects playing in numerous international tournaments, Colby Sissons staying hot for Swift Current, Marian Studenic making his return for Hamilton, and Brett Seney moving back to center with a bang.

QMJHL

Jocktan Chainey had an assist, even rating, 2 PIM, and a shot over the course of 2 games for Halifax last week. He will be a part of the QMJHL team to take on Russia in the Canada - Russia Series later today and Thursday. NHL Network will have replays of the games at 10 AM the following day.

OHL

Marian Studenic returned from injury and had a fine week for himself. He put up a goal, assist, +1, 2 shots, and won both faceoffs he took against Erie on Friday. You can see him make a heads up play to intercept a pass and score a goal against the Otters below. For what Studenic lacks in high end skill, he makes up with good hockey sense which allows him to read and anticipate the play. Against Mississauga on Sunday, he had an assist, +1, and 4 shots.

Evan Cormier made 2 starts last week for Saginaw. On Friday he made 34 saves on 38 shots in a loss to Mississauga. On Saturday he had 12 saves on 14 shots in a victory over Erie.

WHL

Colby Sissons continued to be an offensive force for Swift Current. In 2 games last week he had a goal, 3 assists, +5, and a shot. His strong two-way play saw him added to the WHL roster for Game 2 of the Canada - Russia Series last Tuesday. He was a -1 with a shot in a 4-3 loss to Russia.

NCAA

Brett Seney and Merrimack only had one game last week but made it count. Against Bentley on Friday, Seney had 2 goals, an assist, -1, 4 PIM, 3 shots, and won 6/12 faceoffs as he moved into the center position. Seney spoke to The Mack Report after the game and gave his opinion on his new (old) linemates and his commitment to his defensive responsibilities:

That means more defensive responsibility for the Ontario native, but also it meant a reunion with former linemates Jance Hennig and Mathieu Tibbet.

“Obviously I love playing with those guys,” he said. “We played together as freshmen and sophomores. We have a connection. When we’re out there we were doing our jobs and moving forward, we’re going to continue to work together and build off that.

“As a center I have a lot more defensive responsibilities. I’m the third D back there in the D zone. Defensive play is something Ive been working on for all four years here. I just need to be aware. If Jace and Tibbs go, I need to stay above the play. It’s about competing and working hard.”

JD Dudek had 3 assists, an even rating, 2 PIM, 11 shots, and won both faceoffs he took across 3 games for Boston College last week.

Joey Anderson missed both of Minnesota Duluth's games against Western Michigan last weekend due to an upper body injury. That is now 4 games in a row.

Jeremy Davies had a goal, assist, -1, 6 PIM, and 3 shots across 2 games for Northeastern last week. Jeff Cox of SBN College Hockey had this to say about Davies after Northeastern's victory over Boston University on Friday:

Davies has an innate ability to control possession when he’s on the ice. He does a terrific job jumping into the rush and moving pucks north. It’s cliche to say, but when a team has the puck on their stick, they don’t have to defend.

Reilly Walsh was a -2 with 4 PIM and 3 shots in 2 games for Harvard last week. Last Tuesday, he was named ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week for the prior week which saw him put up 2 goals and an assist in 2 games.

Matt Hellickson had an assist, -1, 6 PIM, and a shot in 2 games against Penn State for Notre Dame last weekend.

KHL/VHL/MHL

Yegor Rykov and SKA had the week off.

Mikhail Maltsev has been making himself known in the Canada - Russia Series as the top center for Russia. In 4 games he has 2 goals, +5, 2 PIM, and 13 shots. He's been effective in using his large frame in all areas of the ice to win pucks and has utilized his offensive skill to finish plays.

Yegor Zaitsev has played an important role on the Russia blue line and has an assist, +1, and 3 shots in 4 games of the Canada - Russia Series. He's even had a nice physical edge to his game when necessary.

Nikita Popugaev was a -2 while playing just under 10 minutes per game on average across 2 games for Zvezda Chekhov of the VHL.

Europe

Fabian Zetterlund (Sweden) and Aarne Talvitie (Finland) spent last week playing in a U20 Four Nations tournament. Zetterlund had a few goals and an assist while Talvitie had an assist and was in a 4th line role.

Gilles Senn made one appearance for Switzerland in the Karjala Cup. He made 26 saves on 29 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Czech Republic on Friday. Switzerland finished last in the tournament.

Your Take

What prospects stood out to you this week? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!