The 2017-18 hockey season is now over for most of New York and New Jersey’s top NHL draft prospects, which means draft analysis can be switched into full throttle.
USA Hockey’s NTDP U-18 forward Joel Farabee almost certainly will be the first player from the region selected at June’s draft in Dallas. The Cicero, N.Y., native is the 12th-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings.
A left wing by trade, the Boston University commit had four goals and four assists in the recently completed IIHF U-18 World Championship in which the U.S. finished with a silver medal. Only Jack Hughes and Oliver Wahlstrom had more points for the Red, White and Blue.
Farabee is a speedy winger who can create offense each shift. He’s able to beat defenders wide and is lethal on the rush. His hockey sense and vision are both exemplary.
The region’s prospect next most likely to hear his name called second is Farabee’s teammate with the NTDP, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson. The Voorhees, N.J., native’s stock fell some from the mid-term to the final rankings. He’s now listed as the 21st-best North American skater after holding the 17th position at the mid-term.
A big, hulking defenseman, the Western Michigan commit is the son of former NHL blueliner Kjell Samuelsson. The younger Samuelsson played prep hockey at Northwood School in upstate New York before heading to the NTDP.
