Staff file photo / Brian Yauger Phantoms forward Adam Benak skates into the offensive zone during an October game against Lincoln. Benak is expected to have his name called during this weekend’s NHL Draft.

Over the last few seasons, the NHL Draft has been very kind to the Youngstown Phantoms.

Outside of the US National Team Development Program, the Phantoms trail just one junior hockey program in producing NHL Draft picks since 2021, the London Knights (OHL).

The Phantoms are expected to add to that total this year, maybe even enough to pass the Knights.

Getting guys to the NHL is an organizational goal for the Phantoms, and the draft brings players one step closer to achieving that.

As much as that’s a goal for the organization, at the end of the day, coach Ryan Ward is happy to see these kids live out their dreams.

“Those guys are going to hear their names called, and we’re excited for that,” Ward said. “Our mission here has never changed. We want to develop people in a winning environment, but most importantly, we want to produce NHL draft picks and get guys ready to play in that league. It is a really exciting time for everybody, and we’re really hopeful that, you know, those kids can live out a childhood dream and see themselves drafted. For us, we’re just happy to be a small part of it.”

Based on rankings from various different scouting services, as many as nine players connected to the Phantoms could be selected in this year’s draft.

Listed in order of their appearance on the NHL Central Scouting rankings, the potential draft picks are as follows:

SASCHA BOUMEDIENNE (D)

18th-ranked North American Skater

Spending last season in college with Boston University – and as the youngest player in college hockey until Will Horcoff left the NTDP for the University of Michigan – Sascha Boumedienne had some growing pains in his draft year. His point totals dipped after a promising rookie year in the USHL but was part of a dynamic pairing alongside fellow Swede Tom Willander for the Terriers. Boston reached the national title game, then following the year, Boumedienne joined his native Sweden for the Under-18 Men’s World Championships. Tallying 14 points (1 goal, 13 assists) in seven games, he set a tournament record for points by a defenseman.

He was expected to return to the Phantoms for a second year, but the chance to make the leap to college at 17 was too good to pass up, especially when his favorite player growing up, Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski, did the exact same thing a decade ago.

It was a risk, but it’s paid off for Boumedienne, who, like Werenski, is projected to be a first-round pick.

A highly-skilled blueliner with an NHL pedigree, Boumedienne projects to be a two-way defenseman in the modern mold, who can do damage in either zone on the ice.

“Sasha obviously is a wizard with the puck,” Ward said. “He’s a really good skater, with size and length and reach. He’s going to continue to evolve his defensive game, and he’ll be an impactful player for a long time.”

ADAM BENAK (F)

Rank: 58

Adam Benak is a dynamic forward who led the Phantoms in points (17 goals, 32 assists, 59 points) during his rookie season in North America. Earning first-team All-Rookie honors, the 5-foot-7 forward from Czechia lived up to the preseason hype and was a major factor in the Phantoms winning the Eastern Conference regular season crown.

“He’s a super competitive kid who sees the ice totally different than everybody else,” Ward said. “His first three strides are explosive, gets above pucks, excellent IQ and vision second to none. People are going to be impressed with him.”

Some teams may pass on Benak due to his diminutive frame, but as the NHL has seen more and more success stories of smaller players working out, that list is shrinking each year. Additionally, Benak plays bigger than his size.

Benak is expected to return to Youngstown this season.

ZACH MORIN (F)

Rank: 103

Zach Morin returned home to Quebec after just four games in Youngstown at the start of the season. With St. John of the QMJHL, the forward totaled 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 56 games with the Sea Dogs.

“Morin is a gritty, determined forward,” Gabriel Foley, Head of North American scouting for RecruitScouting.com said. “He has imposing size and sharp, heavy strides that help him overwhelm opponents. If his ability to win races doesn’t, his physical game absolutely will. Morin keeps a nose out for gritty hits, or opponents with their heads down. He’s hard to knock around when he gets on the puck, and fires hard and deceptive shots from the circles. He’s strong when he gets to the low slot, though he could afford to follow his shots through more. Morin is a dirty player, in the right way — but reaching the next level will require he adds a bit more finesse and play-creation to his very head-on style.”

Committed to Boston University for the 2026-27 season, he could potentially team up with Boumedienne again, reuniting the pair of 2023 Phantom tenders.

CHARLIE CERRATO (F)

Rank: 110

For Charlie Cerrato, the third time’s the charm.

After going unselected in each of the last two drafts, that shouldn’t be an issue this time around for Cerrato. Coming off a 42-point season (15 goals, 27 assists) with Penn State, Cerrato rose up draft boards and is expected to be a hot commodity this year. He’s ranked 110th on the Central Scouting board but very well could go earlier than projected.

“Charlie is an absolute warrior,” Ward said. “He plays every shift like it’s his last. Super physical, not afraid of anything, extremely good vision, makes plays, really, a really intense competitor built for a pro-style game. Charlie’s going to – obviously, he should have been drafted last year – but I think he’s going to go a lot higher than people think.”

JONATHAN BROWN (D)

Rank: 177

Defenseman Jonathan Brown played two games for the Phantoms last season, registering zero points. He spent much of the season with the Shattuck St. Mary’s program in Minnesota, where he recorded 26 points (4 goals, 22 assists) in 56 games.

After the draft, Brown will be spending the year with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. He’s expected to attend Yale the year after.

RYAN RUCINSKI (F)

Rank: 204

Ryan Rucinski rose up the Phantoms’ lineup this season, becoming one of the team’s most relied-upon players. The 5-foot-10 forward does a little bit of everything for the Phantoms and feels tailor-made for any team looking to add a quality piece to their prospect pool with a late-round pick.

“Rucinski was a really effective play-driver for the Phantoms,” Foley said. “He filled the toolsy center role and always seemed to be in a spot to make a play, whether it was properly trailing the breakout or jumping forward to win possession in the O-zone. He worked well in-tight and made smart, quick passes. At his best, his plays looked flashy and intuitive. But he could have afforded more physicality in the middle lane, especially in the slots. With that said, there’s some interesting upside in an effective frame here.”

Rucinski is expected to return to the Phantoms for another season before heading off to Ohio State.

OTHER NAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON

Forwards Jakub Hes, Kade Stengrim, and defenseman Finn McLaughlin could all hear their names called this weekend as well.

While not ranked on Central Scouting rankings, all three players have gotten attention and have the potential to be selected this season.

Hes was ranked by Central Scouting in the midterm rankings, but his draft stock took a bit of a hit toward the end of the year. Ward thinks Hes’s best hockey is yet to come and is expected to take on a larger role this season with the Phantoms.

Stengrim is a big-bodied forward who just finished his first year of fully committing to hockey. Also playing football and baseball in the past, Stengrim settled in on hockey this season. The forward notched 17 points (11 goals, 6 assists) this past season and briefly played with the NTDP. With NHL size (6 feet, 4 inches and 201 pounds) at age 18, teams could be very intrigued with bringing him in. On Thursday, Stengrim signed an agreement with the Medicine Hat Tigers and will spend next season in the WHL.

McLaughlin, after being traded from Youngstown to Fargo last season, has now won two consecutive Clark Cups. One in Fargo, and more recently, this season in Muskegon. Committed to the University of Minnesota for the upcoming year, McLaughlin is in a great spot to grow his game if he goes undrafted.