Ranking the Tri-State area’s 2022 NHL draft prospects: No. 5-1

U.S. NTDP U-18 forward Devin Kaplan (Bridgewater, N.J.) is one of the region's top draft options. (Photo by Rena Laverty/USA Hockey)

One year ago, the Tri-State area enjoyed real success in the NHL Entry Draft’s first round.

Tyler Boucher (Haddonfield, N.J.) was drafted 10th overall by the Ottawa Senators, leading off with an earlier-than-expected selection. Matt Coronato (Huntington, N.Y.) went three spots later to the Calgary Flames, followed by Mackie Samoskevich (Newtown, Conn.), who went 24th overall to the Florida Panthers.

This year’s regional draft class will be challenged to replicate that level of success, however. The pool is shallower and likely won’t receive recognition until the second or third rounds. Leading the potential draftees are a pair of USA Hockey’s NTDP U-18 team members — forward Devin Kaplan (Bridgewater, N.J.), and defenseman Charlie Leddy (Fairfield, Conn.). Kaplan is a Boston University commit, while Leddy is a future Boston College blueliner.

The list of possible picks contains many second-year draft-eligible players, including Tri-City Storm forward Jeremy Wilmer (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) and Green Bay Gamblers defenseman Damien Carfagna (Woodridge, N.J.). Both players are producing at impressive rates and earning the respect of NHL scouts.

Perhaps the most intriguing component of this list is the number of players whose upsides are going unrecognized due to playing limited roles in the USHL this year. Youngsters such as Gamblers forward Nicholas Vantassel of Basking Ridge, N.J., and Chicago Steel winger Mikey Emerson (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) are doing their best to contribute with limited ice time. Still, they deserve consideration for selection in July.

More rankings from this series:
Nos. 1-5 | Nos. 6-10 | Nos. 11-15

5. Seamus Powell (Marcellus, N.Y.)
USA U-18, 4/26/04, D, left shot, 6-0/165
NCAA commit: Boston College

Powell is a mobile defenseman who plays a steady game and consistently provides the NTDP with solid efforts. The Syracuse Nationals and Rochester Selects product doesn’t intimidate opponents with size but uses his skating to keep tights gaps and angle players into the boards. His hockey sense is vital to his success and makes him a practical option for selection. He generated offense in Midgets but hasn’t received many opportunities to produce with the U.S. team. That said, he’s a reliable puck mover with a good point shot who might rediscover some of his offense when he joins the BC Eagles.

4. Damien Carfagna (Wood-Ridge, N.J.)
Green Bay Gamblers, 12/12/02, D, left shot, 5-11/168
NCAA commit: University of New Hampshire

Carfagna went undrafted in 2021, but this year’s success will earn him a selection during the 2022 process. He is a smooth-skating, cerebral defenseman whose feel for the game helps him leave an impact. In addition, the Don Bosco Prep and Lawrence Academy alum is an excellent puck-mover who is active in transition and promises to be a legitimate power-play quarterback at the college and pro levels. His defense continues improving thanks to his ability to utilize his skating and an active stick to eliminate space and break up plays. His size concerns NHL scouts, meaning continued production will be crucial if Carfagna hopes to be drafted.

3. Jeremy Wilmer (Rockville Centre, N.Y.)
Tri-City Storm, 8/16/03, LW, left shot, 5-7/155
NCAA commit: Boston University

The former NTDP forward is pacing the USHL’s Western Conference in production, and he’s working his name into draft consideration as a second-year eligible. Unfortunately, the NHL passed over Wilmer last year despite his nearly point-per-game finish. He is a shifty skater but lacks explosiveness, meaning he’s not going to threaten defenders with his speed, but the former Long Island Gulls and North Jersey Avalanche star is highly skilled and uses his creativity to open the ice and make plays. As a member of Tri-City, he’s beginning to discover the importance of competing and defending but needs to remain consistent.

2. Charlie Leddy (Fairfield, Conn.)
USA U-18, 1/11/04, D, right shot, 6-1/176
NCAA commit: Boston College

Leddy plays a simple but very efficient game. In addition, he’s a reliable defensive defenseman, evidenced by USA’s willingness to employ him on a shutdown pairing used to limit opponents’ top scorers. The former Avon Old Farms blueliner possesses a great hockey IQ, along with solid skating abilities and aptitude for playing the body. He understands the value of eliminating space between himself and the puck carrier, and he makes life difficult for every forward who travels into his lane. Leddy won’t blow scouts away with his offensive abilities, but he makes an excellent first pass and has enough puck skills to facilitate the transition.

1. Devin Kaplan (Bridgewater, N.J.)
USA U-18, 1/10/04, RW, right shot, 6-3/198,
NCAA commit: Boston University

Kaplan’s draft stock is in limbo due to a lack of production in his second year with the development team. However, the North Jersey Avalanche alum possesses pro size and mobility along with slick hands and above-average playmaking ability. He was a highly productive Bantam and Midget player who discovered success in his rookie year in Plymouth. That said, year two has had its ups and downs, and Kaplan has struggled to find a rhythm. His compete level and consistency are question marks, but if the future Terrier develops under Albie O’Connell’s tutelage, Kaplan’s draft team could reap real benefits.

Editor’s note: This article appears in the January/February print edition of New York Hockey Journal.