NHL Prospects: Top 15 High School Prospects of 2012-13

Photo by Adam Crane

NHL Central Scouting released their initial 2012-13 rankings a few weeks ago, and it was highlighted by top prospects like Nathan MacKinnon and Seth Jones, but you shouldn't sleep on the high school players named by CSS.

There are not as many top prospects in high school when compared to juniors, but there is still a ton of future talent.

Here are the 15 best prospects currently in high school.

15. Anthony Brodeur

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Anthony Brodeur is the son of future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur. The young Brodeur is a goaltender for Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep, and he was named a "C" goaltending prospect by CSS.

There aren't a lot of goaltenders who get drafted in the first round, but Brodeur is a solid netminder who should be drafted between the second and fourth rounds in 2013. 

A ton of teams often take later-round risks drafting a goalie, so why not take a risk on a talented high school goalie who has goaltending excellence in his pedigree?

With New Jersey needing an heir to Marty Broduer, don't be surprised if they draft Anthony and then name Marty the team's goalie coach for the foreseeable future.

14. Tommy Vannelli

Photo by Helen Nelson

Tommy Vannelli is an 11th grade defenseman from Minnetonka who is looking to improve upon from his successful 2011-12 season.

Last season, the 6'2'' defender scored seven goals, and he added 18 assists for 25 points in 28 games.

Vannelli will finish his senior year with Minnetonka, and his plans for the future are still to be announced.

13. Chris Forney

Chris Forney is a defender from Thief River Falls in Minnesota, and he is one of the top defensive prospects currently in high school.

Forney is a senior who stands 6'2 and weighs 175 pounds, and he is coming off a six-goal and 18-assist season in 31 games.

If Formey can improve upon his 2011-12 numbers, he stands a good chance of being a solid pick during the upcoming NHL draft.

12. Parker Reno

Photo by Helen Nelson

Parker Reno is another prospect who is a member of Edina High. He stands 6'0" and he is listed as weighing 190 pounds. Last season in 30 games, he scored two goals and added 14 assists for 16 points.

This defensive-prospects needs to bulk up a bit, but he has the time and the potential to evolve into a solid defender.

11. Avery Peterson

Photo by Tim Kolehmainen

Avery Peterson is a forward from Grand Rapids, and he is coming off a successful 2011-12 season.

Last year, the skilled forward scored 14 goals, and he added 34 assists for 48 points in 26 games.

He has average size at 6'0" and 193 pounds, but in a few years, he could be a well-sized power forward if he continues to develop.

10. Alexander Gonye

Deerfield Academy

Alexander Gonye is a member of Deerfield Academy of the USHS. He is a left winger who is 6'1" and weighs 175 pounds.

During the past two seasons in the USHS, Gonye scored 19 goals and added 28 assists for 47 points in 49 games.

Gonye needs to bulk up a little more in order to compete at the NHL level, but he has a lot of time to develop before he will be in that situation.

9. Brian Pihno

Photo By: Winslow Townson for The Boston Globe

Brian Pihno is coming off a successful season in which he scored 18 goals and added 26 assists for 44 points with St. John's Prep.

The center has some growing to do at 6'0" and 175 pounds, but he has the potential to develop into a successful NHL center after some years of seasoning in college. The two-way forward is currently committed to Providence College.

8. Zach LaValle

Fox Sports North

Zach LaValle was a member of the Hill-Murray school in 2011-12, and his season was pretty phenomenal.

The most impressive stat for LaValie was that he only took 34 shots, and he still scored 28 times.

He also was the team's captain as a junior, and that was quite an honor for the young forward.

If the surging forward shoots more, it is safe to assume that he will score more goals. The 2012-13 season is going to be crucial for LaValie as he looks strengthen his resume before being drafted.

7. Connor Hurley

Photo by Adam Crane

Connor Hurley has shined for Edina High of the USHS league so far during his high school career.

The past two seasons have seen Hurley post 32 goals and 52 assists for 84 points in only 50 games played.

Hurley will return to Edina for the 2012-13 season, and it won't be surprising when he continues to tear up the league before making the jump to college or the USHL.

6. Tyler Hill

Wikipedia.org

Tyler Hill was ranked a "B" skater in the CSS listing, but his impressive size of 6'6" and 220 pounds makes him worth the hype.

You can't teach size, and Hill will have enough time to develop his all-around skills to be an effective prospect.

Hill has the size to be a dominating power forward who crashes the net with speed and skill. 

5. Eddie Ellis

http://www.newenglandnordiques.com/

Eddie Ellis is an impressive prospect who has already committed to Harvard for the 2014-15 season, and he had an impressive season for Andover in 2011-12.  

During the season, Ellis tallied 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points, and he was another "B" skater, according to CSS.

Ellis is a skilled forward who will continue to develop over the next few years, and he has a good chance of being effective in the NHL.

4. Thomas Lindstom

Lindstrom on Right; Photo by Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

Thomas Lindstrom is a high school prospect from the Breck Mustangs, and he was named a "C" prospect by CSS.

Lindstrom has a solid offensive season for the Mustangs as he scored 39 goals, and he added 32 assists for 71 points.

The young forward is 5'10" and 165 pounds, so he definitely will have to gain some size and muscle in the upcoming years.

3. Max Becker

Becker (17) Photo by Hellen Nelson

Max Becker is a top prospect who plays for the renowned Shattuck St. Mary's Midget Prep school. He is a forward who currently 5'10" and he weighs 174 pounds, so he is definitely on the small side.

His small frame allows him to skate with top-end speed, and it has allowed him to be an offensive threat. Last season, Becker scored 34 goals and added 36 assists for 70 points.

He also is a dedicated player who makes up for his lack of size with a ton of heart and determination.

Another strong year from Becker at Shattuck should allow him to gain some more exposure as his draft eligibility approaches.

2. Zach Glienke

Photo by Helen Nelson

Zach Glienke is an impressive high school player who played with the Eagan Wildcats last season.

Gilenke is a determined sophomore who scored 27 goals and added 15 assists for 42 points in 31 games.

Gilenke will return to Eagan this season, and he looks to have another impressive season.

Here is a video of Zach Glienke displaying his offensive skills and illustrating what the future could have in store for him.

1. Grant Besse

Grant Besse is an explosive prospect, and this video only reiterates the impact he has had so far in high school career.

Here are some impressive stats that illustrate how dominant Besse was in 2011-12.

Last season, Besse scored 52 goals and he tallied 41 assists for 93 points in 31 games. He also took 147 shots and converted on 35.4 percent of those shots.

His points-per-game of 3.00 was also very impressive for a forward who will return for a senior year in 2012-13.