FCHockey releases Final rankings for 2024 NHL Draft
Macklin Celebrini, a center with Boston University, leads FCHockey’s Final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft.
Celebrini, the gold standard and undisputed No. 1 for the 2024 draft, was also slotted at the top spot through FCHockey’s midterm ranking, after initially earned an ‘A’ rating in FCHockey’s preliminary ranking in October.
Celebrini was the youngest player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey this season, and became the youngest winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men’s hockey player. He finished second among NCAA players with 32 goals and third with 64 points in 38 games with Boston University. He also added Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors, joining Jack Eichel (2015), Paul Kariya (1993) and Brian Leetch (1987) as the only players to win both awards in the same season.
“Celebrini’s blend of talent, versatility, and personal accolades are what separates him from the pack in this year’s draft class,” FCHockey crossover scout Brandon Holmes said. “He’s a multi-tool offensive player who can shoot, distribute, play the game with skill in tight spaces, and has a hockey IQ that places him above his peers. His ability to play in all situations and contribute on the scoresheet against tight checking is what led him to becoming the youngest recipient of the Hobey Baker in NCAA history, and it’s easy to see his path to stardom at the NHL level.”
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Ivan Demidov of SKA-1946 St. Petersburg retained his No. 2 ranking from FCHockey’s midterm and is the top-ranked European skater for the 2024 draft. Demidov had 60 points (23 goals, 37 assists) in 30 games this season. His 2.00 points-per-game were the highest from a draft-eligible forward in MHL history.
“Demidov’s dynamism stems from his exceptional combination of elusive skating mechanics and quick-yet-fluid stickhandling,” FCHockey scout Jake Janso said. “This gives him the ability to make elite plays while in motion and under pressure, at a clip we have not seen from anyone else in this draft.”
Anton Silayev, who played with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod this season, is the highest-ranked defenseman. He had 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 63 games, the highest point total from an NHL Draft eligible defenseman in KHL history, and fourth-highest overall regardless of position behind Vladimir Tarasenko (24, 2009-10), fellow 2024 draft-eligible Nikita Artamonov (23, 2023-24), and Matvei Michkov (20, 2022-23).