Golden Knights Prospects Update

In any year that’s not 2020, updating the Vegas Golden Knights prospects would be a lengthy endeavor. Perhaps I’d even split it into three parts by position.

This year is different. Several leagues are not playing. We still don’t even know if they’ll actually play, regardless of whether a start date has been announced or not. As of right now, the AHL, ECHL, OHL and WHL are planning to play but have not started. The QMJHL has started playing with mixed results, as some teams have played double-digit games while others sit at three or four because of COVID-19 pauses. Europe has done a little better but it’s a much smaller geographic spread for everyone except the KHL.

With that as the backdrop, it’s a little easier to keep an eye on Golden Knights prospects. That is, if there’s anything to report.

Forwards

Brendan Brisson – C

Brisson was the top choice for Vegas (#29 overall) in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. He’s a freshman at Michigan this year and already has four points (1-3-4) in four games. He had a power play goal and an assist to help the Wolverines beat Wisconsin 5-2 on November 19 last week. All four of Brisson’s points have come on the power play to help UM start the season at 37.5% with the man advantage.

Marcus Kallionkieli – LW

Kallionkieli is getting to play games after being loaned to HIFK’s U-20 squad. The 19-year-old speedster has a goal and five points in nine games so far this year. One of the few Golden Knights prospects to have a chance to play significant games before 2021.

Ivan Morozov – C

The 20-year-old center remains unsigned by Vegas after being drafted in the second round back in 2018. This year with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, he’s posted 5-5-10 in 24 games so far. Morozov has yet to play outside of Russia and it looks like that trend may continue.

Pavel Dorofeyev – F

Dorofeyev has seen action at three different levels with Chelyabinsk this season including one game in the KHL with Traktor. He, like countryman Morozov, remains unsigned by the VGK.

Ryder Donovan – F

Donovan is entering his second season with the University of Wisconsin, seeing action in five games so far. He has a pair of goals and an assist as the Badgers have played more games (six) than any other college in NCAA DI. Donovan, a 2019 fourth round pick, remains unsigned.

Nick Campoli – C

Campoli was a sixth round pick in 2017, and remains unsigned. As a junior this year at Clarkson, he’s appeared in one game with no points or PIMs.

Brandon Kruse – LW

The unsigned 2018 fifth round pick of the Golden Knights has a goal and four points in just two games with Bowling Green State University this season. Don’t get too excited, those games were against the D III Adrian Bulldogs.

Maxim Marushev – C

Marushev has already played 18 games between AK Bars Kazan in the KHL and Bars Kazan in the VHL, posting a goal and four points total. Although 21, Marushev is a seventh round pick from this year’s draft.

Martins Dzierkals – RW

The 23-year-old Latvian hasn’t skated in North America since 2017-18 with the Toronto Marlies and Orlando Solar Bears. This year in the KHL with Riga he has 3-5-8 in 17 games.

Defensemen

Lukas Cormier – D

If you’re following hockey being played in North America right now, you’re probably watching the QMJHL and Lukas Cormier. He set a torrid pace to start the season and was named QMJHL Defenseman of the Month for October. He continues to rip it up in the high-scoring league, with seven goals and 21 points in just 13 games for the Charlottetown Islanders. Cormier looks like a steal by Vegas at #68 overall (R3) in this year’s draft.

Noah Ellis – D

Ellis managed to get one game in with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers with one assist so far. The USHL has tried to play starting November 5, but has met with the same mixed results as the QMJHL. Three teams have played five games, Des Moines and Team USA have played one. The sixth-round pick by Vegas in this year’s NHL Entry Draft will play at UMass next season.

Layton Ahac – D

Ahac has played one game with Ohio State in the Big Ten. Again, college hockey is trying to play with mixed results. Don’t expect too much in the way of action here either.

Goalies

Jiri Patera – G

Patera is getting some game action in with Motor Ceske Budejovice on loan. In five appearances he’s posted a 1.82 GAA and .937 save percentage, yet is only 1-3-0 on the season. Looks like run support is a little lacking, but otherwise excellent numbers.

Jesper Vikman – G

A fifth-round pick by the VGK at this year’s draft, Vikman has been playing games in Sweden with AIK’s J20 Nationell club. He’s 5-4-0 with a 4.10 GAA and an .851 save percentage. Don’t let those numbers spook you, as previously he has shown better. Hard to really gauge what kind of team he’s on or competition he’s facing, but for a goalie any experience is good.

The Wrap

For the most part, if you don’t see them mentioned here they’re either not playing or so far off the radar they might be at the North Pole with Santa and his helpers. Seriously, it might be a while until several Golden Knights prospects get it going if they do at all. Expect continued shutdowns of sports by regions at various times, depending on the ebb and flow of the virus and until we are able to get a vaccine in widespread circulation.