The Rest
Normally, I don’t like grouping a bunch of guys together, but there are a lot of other names that all kind of fall into that middling territory.
Alexei Toropchenko showed quite well in his brief time with the Blues prospects and then in pro camp. It has not been quite as good as he hoped in the OHL. He ended the season with 17 goals and 43 points. Not terrible, but not lighting the world on fire.
Tyler Tucker, a defenseman with the Barrie Colts, showed well this year. He ended the season with 14 goals and 59 points. He trailed only Laferriere, a forward, in points.
Austin Poganski is another one that had a rough year in the minors. He started in the ECHL with Tulsa. Once with San Antonio, he got nine goals and 31 points. Not a bad year, and it’s not quite over, but not enough to get the call.
Last, but not least, we have Dominik Bokk. He has eight goals and 23 points in 47 games. However, if I am honest, I have no clue how the Swedish league plays or what the competition is like. We knew the kid was super young and green when drafted, so his totals do not worry me until he comes across the pond as they say.
So, that’s what they’ve been up to this season. If anyone has a good playoff run, we might take another look in a month or so.
Overall, it’s been kind of a disappointing year. With Thomas in the NHL and Kyrou bouncing around, there has not been quite as much excitement generated by the prospect pool as there was last year or the year before.
These guys are all very young though and nobody develops at the same pace. It is hard to compare Reinke, who is 23, to someone like Bokk or Laferrier, who are still teenagers.
All they need do is focus on their own development and their time will come.