New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 3/13/18

The twenty-third week of the 2017-18 prospect update is here. It’s highlighted by Brett Seney’s career with Merrimack concluding, Yegor Zaitsev’s season ending, the NCAA prospects stay busy in conference tournament action, and the European prospects continue with playoff action.

QMJHL

Jocktan Chainey had a goal, +1, and a shot in 2 games last week. Halifax has clinched a playoff spot and are currently the 4th seed in the QMJHL with 3 games left in their regular season which concludes on 3/17.

OHL

Michael McLeod had 5 assists, +2, 2 PIM, 6 shots, and won 50% of his faceoffs in 3 games last week. Mississauga has clinched a playoff spot and are currently the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. They conclude regular season play on 3/18.

Marian Studenic had an assist, -3, and 5 shots in 3 games last week. Hamilton has clinched a playoff spot and are currently hanging onto the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Their regular season concludes on 3/17.

Evan Cormier had a 32 save shutout in a victory over Guelph on Friday. The following night he lasted just 2 periods as he made 19 saves on 23 shots in a loss to Owen Sound. Saginaw has clinched a playoff spot and are currently the 7th seed in the Western Conference.

WHL

Colby Sissons had 3 PP assists, -3, 2 PIM, and 11 shots in 3 games last week. He currently has an assist in each of his past 4 games and is tied-3rd in scoring for WHL defensemen with 71 points in 69 games. Swift Current has clinched a playoff spot and are currently 2nd in the East Division of the Eastern Conference with 3 regular season games left, concluding play on 3/17.

NCAA

Brett Seney saw his season and collegiate career come to an end with Merrimack’s 2 losses to Boston College in the Hockey East Quarterfinals this past weekend. Seney was held without a point and to a -1 with 7 shots and 39.13 FO% across those 2 games. Seney ends his career at Merrimack with 42 goals and 73 assists for 115 points in 139 games. While those numbers may not jump off the page, it’s worth noting that Seney led his team in scoring during all 4 of his seasons as Merrimack was a constant underdog in a tough conference. I hope to see the Devils sign him to an entry level deal as I’m intrigued to see how his speed and skill translate to the professional level. Hopefully he can get into some AHL action with Binghamton before their season ends.

Joey Anderson and Minnesota Duluth knocked out Western Michigan in 2 games in the opening round of the NCHC Playoffs. Anderson had 3 assists, +1, and 7 shots in the series. They’ll take on Denver in the Semifinals on Friday and will either play in the Third Place Game or Championship on Saturday. According to USCHO, Duluth is currently 8th in the Pairwise Rankings which gauges the system the NCAA uses to determine which teams fill out the 16 team field for the NCAA tournament should they not earn an automatic bid by winning their conference tournament.

Jeremy Davies and Northeastern eliminated UMass in 2 games in the Hockey East Quarterfinals. Davies, as usual, played a big role with a goal, 3 assists, +2, and 7 shots in the series. Northeastern will take on Providence in the Semifinals on Friday. Should they win that game the Championship is the next day. Northeastern is 7th in the Pairwise Rankings on USCHO.

Reilly Walsh helped Harvard keep their season alive after dropping their first game against Dartmouth in the ECAC Quarterfinals with a PP assist in each of the final 2 games. In the 3 game series Walsh had 2 assists, -1, and 6 shots. Harvard will take on Clarkson in the Semifinals on Friday. Should they advance, the Championship game is on Saturday. Harvard is 26th in the Pairwise Rankings and needs to win this tournament to keep their season alive.

Matt Hellickson helped Notre Dame advance to the Big Ten Championship with a PP assist, even rating, and 2 shots in a Semifinal victory over Penn State. The title game will be on Saturday against Ohio State. Notre Dame is 2nd in the Pairwise Rankings.

KHL/VHL

KHL

VHL

Mikhail Maltsev played his 4th VHL playoff game yesterday with 3 shots and won 17/18 faceoffs in 15:13 of SKA-Neva’s victory in their opening game of the second round of the playoffs.

Dynamo Moscow missed the KHL playoffs as well as their MHL affiliate thus ending Yegor Zaitsev’s season.

Nikita Popugaev played 33 seconds in CSKA’s Game 4 victory in the opening round of the KHL playoffs. They swept the series to advance to the next round.

Europe

Jesper Boqvist concluded his regular season with 2 assists, -4, and 7 shots while playing 14-15 minutes per game over 3 games. He was a -1 with 4 PIM in 17:26 in Brynas’ 3-2 win over Lulea playoff action yesterday.

Fabian Zetterlund had an assist, +1, and 5 shots in 16:08 on Wednesday in Allsvenskan action. On Saturday he returned to the SHL and had an assist, +1, and 2 shots in 9:31.

Aarne Talvitie had 2 goals, +2, 2 PIM, 5 shots, and won 11/24 faceoffs in 17:15 in his final regular season game a week ago. As Finnish Jr. Hockey on twitter confirmed, Talvitie has been named the best player of the Finnish U20 league.

Gilles Senn helped HC Davos to a 1-0 series lead over EHC Biel-Bienne in the Quarterfinals of the NLA playoffs as he made 26 saves on 28 shots in a victory on Saturday.

Your Take

Which prospects stood out to you this week? Do you expect the Devils to offer Brett Seney a contract? What are your expectations for Seney as a pro? Which prospects do you hope to watch in the NCAA tournament should their team make it? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!