Toronto Maple Leafs prospects report: Dakota Joshua is the top prospect (in North America)

Hello Maple Leafs fans!

It’s another prospects report and I love these players like they were my own sons, but can SOMEONE PLEASE DO SOMETHING HIGHLIGHT WORTHY.

I miss the years of Mitch Marner and Jeremy Bracco going 2PPG in the OHL.

Our top forward this year in North America is Ohio State forward Dakota Joshua, who is close to being a point per game. He was my #25 on the top 25 in the fall, and has performed well in his third NCAA season. He needs to step up the pace to beat his sophomore year  were he was just over a PPG. I believe in you Dakota!

Ontario Hockey League

#77 - Eemeli Räsänen (D) - 0G, 0A, +3
Kingston Frontenacs

Feb. 2nd: vs Oshawa Generals
W 7-1 - 0G, 0A, +3
Feb. 3rd: vs Niagara IceDogs
W 5-3 - No Points

Räsänen is a wall on the blue line and taken a backseat to scoring since the trade deadline. Not much is getting by him these days, and looks to be a big (literally and figuratively) figure in the Frontenacs post-season success.

#55 - Keaton Middleton (D) - 0G, 2A
Saginaw Spirit

Jan. 31st: @ Flint Firebirds
L 3-2 OT - 0G, 1A
Feb. 2nd: @ Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
L 4-3 OT - 0G, 1A, -1
Feb. 3rd: vs Flint Firebirds
W 3-2 - 0G, 0A, +1

The Spirit had nothing but close games this weekend, and Middleton chipped in a couple assists in the losing efforts.

#15 - Fedor Gordeev (D) - 1G, 1A
Flint Firebirds

Jan. 31st: vs Saginaw Spirit
W 3-2 OT - 1G, 1A, +2
Feb. 2nd: vs Sarnia Sting
W 3-2 OT - 0G, 0A, -2
Feb. 3rd: @ Saginaw Spirit
L 3-2 - No Points

The Firebirds had a couple big moral victories beating rival Saginaw and top ranked Sarnia, and those are the only kind of victories they’ll be able to celebrate for the rest of the schedule.

#19 - Ryan McGregor (F)
Sarnia Sting

McGregor is still out with a lower body injury.

#52 - Nicolas Mattinen (D) - 0G, 0A, +4
Hamilton Bulldogs

Feb. 1st: @ Peterborough Petes
W 4-3 - 0G, 0A, +2
Feb. 2nd: @ Kitchener Rangers
L 4-3 - 0G, 0A, +1
Feb. 3rd: vs Mississauga Steelheads
W 2-1 - 0G, 0A, +1

Mattinen has adjusted well to the Bulldogs over the past month since joining the team from Flint. He’s been a welcome addition to the defense and is playing his position solidly.

Western Hockey League

#33 - Ian Scott (G) - 73sv, 84sh, .869sv%
Prince Albert Raiders - 21-20-9-2

Jan. 30th: vs Red Deer Rebels
L 4-3 OT - 19sv, 23sh, .826sv%
Feb. 2nd: vs Saskatoon Blades
W 5-2 - 19sv, 21sh, .905sv%
Feb. 3rd: @ Regina Pats
L 5-4 OT - 35sv, 40sh, .875sv%

The Raiders almost went three straight but lost two in overtime. Scott was average for the WHL in goalies over the past week.

Junior A

#24 - Ryan O'Connell (D)
Penticton Vees, BCHL - 33-10-2-3

Feb. 3rd: @ Salmon Arm Silverbacks
W 5-1 - No Points

He’s back! O’Connell made his return against the Silverbacks, and took it easy in the 5-1 victory. Slow and steady.

NCAA

#13 - Nolan Vesey (F) - 0G, 2A, +1
Maine Black Bears
Overall: 15-10-4 / Conference: 9-7-3

Feb 2nd: vs Merrimack
W 4-3 OT - 0G, 1A, +1
Feb. 3rd: vs Merrimack
L 3-2 OT - 0G, 1A

The Black Bears seemed to have turned around their game after the past few seasons, and Nolan Vesey is aiming for an NCAA high in points in his senior year.

#14 - JD Greenway (D) - 0G, 0A, -1
Wisconsin Badgers
Overall: 14-13-3 / Conference: 8-9-2-1

Feb. 2nd: @ Michigan
L 5-3 - 0G, 0A, -1
Feb. 3rd: @ Michigan
W 4-2 - Did Not Play

Greenway is still in and out of the Badgers line up.

#31 - Joseph Woll (G) - 23sv, 27sh, .852sv%
Boston College Eagles
Overall: 13-11-3 / Conference: 13-5-0

Feb. 2nd @ Connecticut
L 5-3 - 23sv, 27sh, .852sv%

One game last week as the Eagles got ready for the Bean Pot happening this week.

#8 - Dakota Joshua (F) - 3G, 0A, -1
Ohio State Buckeyes
Overall: 18-6-4 / Conference: 11-6-1

Feb. 2nd: vs Michigan State
W 4-2 - 2G, 0A, +1
Feb. 3rd: vs Michigan State
L 6-3 - 1G, 0A, -2

Joshua with a big three goal weekend, but the Spartans were unstoppable on Saturday night.

Prospects points tracker