Here at Canucks Army, we have an unhealthy obsession with hockey prospects, both undrafted and those already in the system. Never in the seven year history of this website has that obsession been more important than it is now, as the Canucks are entrenched in a rebuild, and prospects are their only hope for the future.

As was the case with our Preseason Prospect Rankings, this set was created by consensus from nearly a dozen Canucks Army writers and contributors. The parameters are simple: the qualify for the rankings, the prospect must be eligible for the Calder Memorial Trophy (aka, must be a rookie) next season. That means that Jake Virtanen, Jared McCann, and Ben Hutton are out. They are no longer considered prospects by this measure, as they have graduated to full time NHLers.

Rather than publishing individual articles for each prospect like we did in the summer (and will do again for the next preseason rankings), these are split into sections, like last year’s midterm rankings. Finally, we’ve reached the top two prospects in the organizations, and there are no surprises here.

Position: Right Wing  –  Shoots: Right  –  Height: 6′ 1″  –  Weight: 191 lbs

Brock Boeser, the Canucks’ 23rd overall pick in 2015, has been a revelation this season in the NCAA. Playing for the University of North Dakota, Boeser has been one of the top freshmen across the nation this season, trailing only Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor in a plethora of categories.

Boeser ranks second among freshmen in goals (26), assists (28), points (54), goals per game (0.67), points per game (1.38), and game winning goals (4), while leading all freshmen in plus-minus (+38). He is also third among freshmen in assists per game (0.72), and fourth in shots on goal (122) and shooting percentage (21.3).

Boeser has served as the trigger-man on North Dakota’s top line with Chicago prospect Nick Schmaltz as the playmaker and soon-to-be free agent Drake Caggiula in the role of disrupter and puck retriever. Boeser is the youngest member of the line, but over the course of the year he has surpassed the others in points, and has now been leading North Dakota in that category for quite a while.

Boeser has been the most impressive skater in the Canucks system this year (which is obviously why is ranked higher than any other skater), and he has the numbers to back it up. Using the stat NHLe, which used historical season-to-season comparisons to translate non-NHL numbers to an NHL total, Boeser trailed only 25-year old Anton Rodin this season.

Boeser looked like a solid pick when he was selected last June, but his stock has only improved since then, with an even 50 per cent of statistically similar players going on to become NHL regulars, which is the highest among all Canucks prospects. A projected top six NHL forward, Boeser is making the case that he could be a first line right winger some day. His shot is already first rate by NHL standards, and his hands and offensive awareness are also of very high quality.

Another facet of Boeser’s game that is frequently praised is his work ethic. He’s frequently referred to as a “heart and soul” type player, and earns recognition for his dedication to the game. He’s had his share of tragedies in his life, and has seemingly been able to channel that resilience into devotion to improving himself and his teammates.

Boeser is expected to return to North Dakota next year, where he will likely take on more of a leadership role. After that, the Canucks may make a push to bring him to Vancouver for the 2017-18 season. Who knows, given the way the Canucks season is unfolding, maybe he’ll get a chance to reunite with his Team U.S.A. running mate Auston Matthews. Dare to dream.

Position: Goalie  –  Catches: Left  –  Height: 6′ 4″  –  Weight: 195 lbs

When assessing which Canucks prospect has had the post successful season, you can make solid arguments for either Brock Boeser or Thatcher Demko. Who is the better prospect is almost a toss up (they got nearly an even amount of number one votes in our ranking survey), but when we’re projecting which player could have the larger impact on the Canucks’ future, you have to go with the goaltender, and the Canucks have one of the absolute best in their system.

In both TSN’s Top 50 NHL Affiliated Prospects list and The Hockey News’ recent Future Watch edition, only Ilya Samsonov (Washington) ranked higher that Demko among goaltenders. Demko’s 1.86 goals against average (GAA) ranks sixth best in the NCAA, while his .936 save percentage is tied for third best. He’s also fifth best in winning percentage (.757), and leads the entire nation in shutouts with 10. There are no NHL affiliated goalies ahead of him in any category.

Demko is drawing a lot of comparisons to former Canuck goalie-of-the-future Cory Schneider, and it’s easy to see why – the similarities are plenty. While the were drafted ten years and ten spots apart (Schneider was 26th overall in 2004, Demko 36th overall in 2014), both committed to Boston College for their NCAA career. There, Schneider set the school record for shutouts in a season, racking up eight in 2005-06. That record stood until this season, when Demko blanked Boston University on February 8th, breaking Schneider’s record – he would go on to record a tenth shutout a month later.

Demko has already begun receiving accolades for his season, winning his conference’s Co-Player of the Year. It may not stop there either, as he is on the short list for both the Mike Richter Award (for best goaltender) and the prestigious Hobey Baker Award (for NCAA MVP).

Word around town is that the Canucks intend to sign Demko to a contract following the completion of his NCAA season – that could be as soon as this weekend, with the NCAA regionals underway. It’s more likely though, given the strength of Boston College, that he continues on to the Frozen Four tournament in Tampa, which takes place April 7th to 9th. After that, it’s likely that the Canucks will try to get him under contract, and maybe even send him to Utica, where the Comets are struggling down the stretch and could use the goaltending help.

If not this year, Demko will certainly get familiar with Utica next season. He may be a rising star, but there’s no need to fast track him to the NHL. Cory Schneider didn’t make the jump to the NHL full time until he was 24, when he had over a hundred AHL games under his belt. With Jacob Markstrom in Vancouver, the Canucks will likely take their time with Demko, as the should. Hopefully, the latest goalie-of-the-future will be worth the wait.