It’s been a while since we’ve checked in on Columbus prospects from around the hockey world. There’s some good news and some bad news. The best news is that several of these guys are likely to have an impact on the big club sooner rather than later.
Gavin Brindley (RW) – University of Michigan (NCAA)
2023 2nd round pick
25-28-53 39GP
2022-23 PPG: 0.93
2023-24 PPG: 1.36
The Blue Jackets’ 2023 second-round pick, both a former and future teammate of Adam Fantilli, has had a fantastic season. He helped Team USA win gold at World Juniors and was recently named the Big Ten Ice Hockey Player of the Year.
Michigan has already defeated both North Dakota and Michigan State to advance to the Frozen Four. Gavin had a goal and an assist in the Michigan State game.
No one would be shocked to see him turn pro next season. It’s also worth wondering if he might receive an invite to the World Championships. Either way, Brindley keeps looking more and more like a top prospect.
Jordan Dumais (RW) – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
2022 3rd round pick
16-31-47 21GP
2022-23 PPG: 2.19
2023-24 PPG: 2.24
A combination of injury and the World Junior Championship have caused Dumais to miss most of the regular season in the Q. In addition, Dumais was arrested in March in Halifax for driving under the influence. He was suspended for five games as a result. To make matters worse, it appears that he may have re-aggravated a lower-body injury (likely his hip). His availability for the playoffs is unknown.
Dumais’ season got worse and worse as it went on. Hopefully, a focused offseason will get him ready to turn pro next season.
Sergei Ivanov (G) – Admiral Vladivostok (KHL)
2022 5th round pick
.929 SV% 2.53 GAA 37GP
Ivanov continued to put up impressive numbers after the last time we checked in on him. Unfortunately, Admiral did not make the KHL playoffs. He is currently signed for one more year, so don’t expect him in North America next season.
Denton Mateychuk (D) – Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
2022 1st round pick
17-58-75 52GP
2022-23 PPG: 1.03
2023-24 PPG: 1.44
Denton should have Blue Jackets fans excited about next season. Given the fact that he nearly made the team out of camp last September, expect him to make another push this fall. If Provorov happens to get traded over the summer, his odds will increase even further.
Scott Wheeler of The Athletic recently noted, “He just always seems to be involved in all three zones. He’s also a worker who, by all accounts, has a great personality off of the ice. I see a clear second-pairing upside, and there’s nothing in his game that gives me pause in saying that.”
The Warriors are currently up 2-0 in the WHL playoffs over the Brandon Wheat Kings. Mateychuk has 0-2-2 in those games.
Luca Pinelli (C) – Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
2023 4th round pick
48-34-82 68GP
2022-23 PPG: 0.94
2023-24 PPG: 1.21
Pinelli has had a breakout season for the 67’s. He improved his goal total by 19 from last season and leads all Columbus prospects in total points. He will likely spend one more season in the OHL.
Ottawa is currently up 2-1 over the Brantford Bulldogs in the first round of the OHL playoffs. Luca is 4-1-5 in those 3 games.
William Whitelaw (C) – University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
2023 3rd round pick
10-7-17 37GP
2022-23 PPG: 0.98 (USHL)
2023-24 PPG: 0.46
Whitelaw has struggled a bit in his first year at Wisconsin. However, the team as a whole bounced back nicely this season, making the tournament for the first time since 2021. Unfortunately, they lost in the first round to Quinnipiac.
As of yesterday, Whitelaw had entered the transfer portal. So where he will be next season is currently up in the air.
Max McCue (C) – London Knights (OHL)
Signed as a free agent
27-34-61 62GP
2022-23 PPG: 0.67
2023-24 PPG: 0.98
The Blue Jackets signed McCue on March 1st. He’s known as a brutish player who’s hard to play against. At 21, he’s overage, so you’d expect him to be a point-per-game player in the OHL.
The Knights are currently up 3-0 over the Flint Firebirds in the OHL playoffs. Max is 1-4-5 so far.
You would think he’s likely to be in Cleveland next season, so it’ll be interesting to see how he performs there. There’s nothing wrong with adding a center of McCue’s ilk to your pipeline.
Who stands out most to you? Who are you most excited about seeing in Cleveland or Columbus?