• PROSPECT-UPDATE ARCHIVE
There was limited action for draft prospects on Monday, but three managed to find spots on the day's top-performances list.
The major-junior playoffs are certainly giving top prospects a chance to shine, and Monday's group epitomizes that. Two of the players listed below are likely to be first round picks, and the third will also likely go somewhere in the first two rounds.
What makes the 2018 draft class so special is that so many of them play major roles on their teams despite their relative youth. They had those roles in the regular season and are maintaining them in the playoffs. That certainly wasn't the case with the 2017 draft pool. Check out these three stars from a very deep draft class:
NICOLAS BEAUDIN -- The Drummondville defenseman notched three assists in a 5-4 loss at Victoriaville -- his second three-point game of the playoffs. Beaudin had the primary assist on a power-play goal at 13:27 of the second period to cut the lead to 3-2. He later assisted on last-ditch goals as 18:36 and 19:27 of the third to force the overtime. Through eight QMJHL postseason games, his 11 points lead all defensemen in scoring. (Note: 10th appearance on this list in 2017-18)
AKIL THOMAS -- The likely first-round pick scored a goal and added an assist in Niagara's 4-3 OT win over Hamilton. Thomas scored his fifth goal of the playoffs on a power play at 7:18 of the opening period for a 2-0 lead. In the second, he assisted on another man-advantage tally at 11:36, making it 3-1. Thomas extended his point streak to four games, and he is now tied for 13th in OHL playoff scoring with 11 points in eight games. (Note: 14th appearance on this list in 2017-18)
JOE VELENO -- Skilled play-maker Veleno did all he could in Drummondville's 5-4 loss at Victoriaville, scoring a goal and recording primary assists on two others. The first assist came on a power-play goal at 8:11 of the second period, cutting the lead to 2-1. Five minutes later at 13:27, Veleno scored his fifth goal of the playoffs, pulling the Voltigeurs within one at 3-2. With only 33 seconds to go in the third, he set up the goal that forced OT. Veleno has appeared in eight playoff games and recorded multiple points in four of them. (Note: 14th appearance on this list in 2017-18)