Earlier this week we published UTHC Top Prospects Pt.1 where we ranked Tij Iginla 1st overall in the Utah Hockey Club’s deep prospect pool. We also began highlighting the top players both on the NHL roster and prospect pool under the age of 25. If you haven’t read each, what are you waiting for? In this installment, we will profile the Utah prospects we have ranked 6th through 10th.
#6 Maveric Lamoureux
Position: Left Defense
Team: Tucson Roadrunners (AHL)
Height: 6 foot 7 inches
Weight: 214 Pounds
Age: 20 years
Draft: 29th overall, 2022
Player Statistics
Prospect Profile
Maveric Lamoureux was a statement selection by Bill Armstrong and management in the 2022 NHL Draft. After drafting the sub-six-foot center Logan Cooley to the surprise of fans and the league alike as the 3rd overall pick, the team went for size with their next two 1st round picks. The team traded up to grab towering center Connor Geekie (6’4”) at the 11th overall pick and then they drafted an even larger defenseman when they once again moved up to select Maveric Lamoureux (6’7”) at the 29th pick. Bill Armstrong has a type, and he made that clear.
While size is a common theme in this scouting and management’s draft philosophy, these players don’t come without skill. Lamoureux doesn’t look like a baby giraffe on the ice trying to figure out how to coordinate all of his long limbs to move together. Lamoureux is surprisingly agile, which is crucial for a defenseman of his size. Although his overall skating is still a place he can improve, he doesn’t get caught by his frame lagging behind his decision-making. Maveric has flashed offensive upside through his time in the QMJHL and is a player who uses violence to intimidate opposing teams. While he is considered a project because of his size, it is a project that could be well worth the wait.
As Lamoureux fills into his frame through pro-training he will gain more coordination and confidence. This development of a pro-frame will be critical to his development as he has struggled to stay healthy. Larger players can face more wear and tear on their bodies as they often play very physically. Lamoureux missed a substantial portion of the 2021-2022 season due to a shoulder injury. And after a bout with mono, he injured the opposite shoulder, landing him another 6-month setback. That is significant development time that he has missed and something that keeps him out of the top 5 prospects.
If Lamoureux can work through the injuries and make significant development strides in the AHL this season he could skyrocket up prospect lists. He is a rare mix of size and skill that would be invaluable in the NHL.
#7 Michael Hrabal
Position: Goaltender
Team: University of Massachusetts (NCAA)
Height: 6 foot 7 inches
Weight: 215 pounds
Age: 19 years
Draft: 38th overall, 2023
Player Statistics
Prospect Profile
Michael Hrabal is a giant in the world of goaltending prospects, and not just because of his impressive height. At 6-foot-7, he’s a towering presence in the net, making it tough for opponents to find any gaps. Even in high-pressure situations, Hrabal keeps his cool, he was a standout for UMass in the NCAA tournament as a freshman and for Czechia in the World Junior Championships this year.
One of Hrabal’s most impressive traits is his athleticism. For a guy his size, his speed and agility are off the charts. He moves with a surprising quickness and his long legs are particularly effective in sealing off the bottom third of the net. He pulls off some jaw-dropping saves with sheer athleticism and has a dogged, never-quit mentality on the ice. He’s a big kid but he battles hard. This mix of size, agility and determination makes him a force in the crease.
Hrabal’s positional play could use a bit of fine-tuning, but his tools really cover up most of his technical shortcomings. While his puck-tracking isn’t elite, his ability to read plays and stay engaged is impressive. With continued development, Hrabal has the potential to become a top NHL goaltender. And he has some time to continue that development at UMass. He told Arpon Basu at The Athletic that his stay in college may not be a short one; “You never know when you get injured. So that’s how I see college, why college is very good for me, playing a great level of hockey and also getting an education. So, I’m excited to go there. I would definitely love to finish and graduate there. But we will see what happens.”
#8 Artem Duda
Position: Left Defense
Team: Tucson Roadrunners (AHL)
Height: 6 foot 1 inch
Weight: 187 pounds
Age: 20 years
Draft: 36th overall, 2022
Player Statistics
Prospect Profile
Artem Duda's journey to the Utah Hockey Club has been anything but straightforward. The long-anticipated signing is a significant relief for fans who have been on an emotional rollercoaster, following Duda’s dream to play in the NHL. Known for his high hockey IQ, smooth skating, and sharp on-ice awareness, Duda embodies the franchise's commitment to bringing in skilled and intelligent players. His ranginess and all-compass mobility are essential as he adapts to the smaller North American rinks. Offensively, Duda shines with his smart hockey sense and powerful shot, making him a natural fit for the power play.
Despite his offensive prowess, Duda has room to grow defensively. His positioning and hockey IQ are solid, but he needs to become more physical and assertive. His journey to North America included a rocky transition with a long layoff due to contract issues in Russia and limited playing time last season. Overcoming this rust and focusing on his defensive play and work habits, particularly in physical battles and puck retrieval, will be vital as he moves towards a professional career. His signing reflects Utah’s dedication to investing in a smart, skillful defenseman with great potential.
Duda's path has been filled with challenges, including being ruled ineligible to play for the University of Maine due to his previous professional experience in Russia. This setback didn’t deter him; instead, he found a new home and a chance to play hockey at Toronto Metropolitan University. There, he showcased his skills against older, more experienced players, impressing coaches and teammates alike. His elite skating, heads-up play, and pro-level shot have earned him high praise and comparisons to NHL stars. Utah Hockey Club fans are hopeful that Duda's perseverance and talent will make him a key player for the Tucson Roadrunners and eventually a significant contributor to Utah’s defensive lineup.
On the ice, Duda's versatility stands out. He loves carrying and shooting the puck, excelling at creating his own scoring opportunities and supporting the offense. His agility, speed, and puck-handling make him a threat whenever he steps into the offensive zone. Defensively, his positioning and hockey sense allow him to disrupt plays effectively, but developing a more aggressive physical presence will be crucial for his success in the NHL. His low penalty minutes indicate a need for greater engagement, but his ability to read the game and make smart plays suggests a high ceiling.
Looking ahead, Duda projects as a valuable middle-pairing defenseman with power-play capabilities. His smooth skating and ability to move effortlessly across the ice give him a subtle but effective scoring touch, and with continued development, he could become a cornerstone of Utah’s defense. His offensive skills and hockey IQ position him well for a role in driving the play from the back end, while improvements in his physicality and engagement will round out his game. Utah Hockey Club fans can look forward to Duda’s growth and impact as he continues to refine his skills and transition to the professional ranks.
Overall, signing Artem Duda is a testament to Utah’s strategic focus on building a well-rounded team. While Duda continues to refine his physical game and overcome recent setbacks, his offensive abilities and high hockey IQ position him as a promising two-way defenseman. With continued development and a bit of luck, Duda could soon realize his NHL dreams and become a valuable asset for the Utah Hockey Club.
#9 Miko Matikka
Position: Right Wing
Team: Tucson Roadrunners (AHL)
Height: 6 foot 4 inches
Weight: 200 pounds
Age: 20 years
Draft: 67th overall, 2022
Player Statistics
Prospect Profile
Matikka is yet another big, strong, skilled player with plus skating. It should be abundantly clear that General Manager Bill Amrstrong and his scouting staff have “a type”. Matikka perfectly fits the new Utah Hockey Club identity. Standing at 6-foot-4, Matikka effectively uses his size to protect the puck and create scoring opportunities. Matikka plays a power-forward style, combining physical play with the ability to score jaw-dropping goals.
Utah’s Associate Director of Amateur Scouting explained to Flo Hockey’s Jordan McAlpine that sometimes you just can’t overthink things, “Our Finnish scout (Jani Kiviharju) went to bat for him, believed in him and you see his size, his skating, his shot and his abilities, and it’s a player that we coveted. We were lucky to get him in the third round.” Drafting prospects with combinations of high-end tools is always a good strategy.
Matikka’s game is all about how well he uses his size, his skating, and his powerful shot. His ability to score goals from anywhere inside the offensive zone is a standout trait. He has a hard, accurate shot, with a deceptive release, and he’s unafraid to shoot from anywhere, regularly surprising defenders and goalies. He excels at using his large frame to his advantage, whether it's charging the net with defenders on this back or battling to gain prime scoring positions in the hard areas of the ice. It’s his drive, combined with his excellent skating, that allowed him to become a unanimous NCHC All-Rookie Team in his first season in the NCAA. Matikka was the first Denver University freshman to score 20 goals in eight years. Which made him a valuable asset en route to winning a National Championship.
Matikka is now primed to bring that championship pedigree to the Tucson Roadrunners, next season. Surrounding the talented young players in the system with proven winners seems to be another strategic initiative of the organization. The Utah Hockey Club has made a concerted effort to add playoff and championship experience to the system this off-season. Matikka is yet another example.
#10 Will Skahan
Position: Left Defense
Team: Boston College (NCAA)
Height: 6 foot 4.5 inches
Weight: 215 Pounds
Age: 18 years
Draft: 65th overall, 2024
Player Statistics
Prospect Profile
Will Skahan, selected 64th overall, is a standout defensive prospect known for his physicality and defensive reliability. Originally, Utah was slated to pick three times in the second round, but strategic trades reshaped their draft strategy. The 38th overall pick was traded to the Colorado Avalanche as part of a package to move up and select Cole Beaudoin, while the 49th overall pick was included in the deal that brought number one defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite these moves, Utah saw great value in Skahan at 64th overall, banking on his potential to become a shutdown defenseman with a punishing style of play and solid defensive capabilities.
The Boston College commit fits the mold of a classic, hard-nosed defenseman, providing physicality and a defensive presence that can stabilize Utah's future blue line. His strong, aggressive style of play aligns well with the team's emphasis on toughness and defensive responsibility. Skahan also won Gold with Team USA at the 2022 U17 World Hockey Challenge, as well as Silver at the U18s this year. So like many of Utah’s new additions, he’s already got plenty of experience in big moments and is a proven winner.
Will Skahan is a towering defenseman with a reputation for physical play and defensive acumen. At 6 foot 4.5 inch and 215 pounds, he brings a formidable presence on the ice, using his size and strength to dominate opponents physically. Skahan excels in defending the rush, maintaining solid gap control, and making life difficult for opposing forwards with his aggressive, in-your-face style. Skahan is capable of closing on forwards so quickly because his straight-line skating is tremendous for a player of his size. He can cut down distance in a flash and be all over oncoming forwards before they know what hit them. His game is based on pressure. He’s never afraid to step up on a forechecker, he’s capable of winning races to retrievals and rarely loses a battle along the boards. Skahan is always the one to come out of his corner with the puck.
Skahan’s game is characterized by his ability to clear the front of the net, play a shutdown role 5-on-5, and contribute significantly on the penalty kill. His father’s background as a strength and conditioning coach has ensured that Skahan is in excellent physical condition, further enhancing his ability to handle the physical demands of a shutdown defenseman role. Skahan is yet another combine standout selection for Utah. Another player with a renowned work ethic on and off the ice, who has a tremendous dedication to physical fitness and improving his game.
Will has an undeniable passion for hockey, and he gets it honest, “I started playing hockey when I was 3. I've been playing ever since. It's been the best thing in my life." His father Sean Skahan has worked for many years as an NHL strength and conditioning coach for both the Minnesota Wild and the Anaheim Ducks. About Will, Sean has said, "I think Will just was always a rink rat. He loved being at the rink," Sean said. "There was never a time where I had to beg him to go to practice. He always wanted to go to practice. Then we started training in the weight room and it was the same thing.”
His dad Sean is not alone in recognizing Will’s dedication and leadership, NTDP U-18 coach Nick Fohr said "He was our captain last year in all of our international events, which we don't carry running captains on our team very often." He further added, "So last year we just had him for our international events and he was our captain in every event for us."
While Skahan’s defensive game is his strength, there are areas where he needs improvement to maximize his potential. His offensive contributions are limited, and he is unlikely to be a significant point producer at the NHL level. Skahan’s puck play can be inconsistent, and he can be slow to react with the puck under pressure. He has an overly simplistic puck game, overall. It’s all about chipping the puck up the ice, or out of trouble. Skating with the puck on his stick is not a strong suit. This is something we can expect to see him working on at BC. It’s a great program, and there is plenty of reason to hope he can improve in this area. He’s shown glimpses of stronger two-way play and puck-moving. He has the physical gifts to add these strengths to his arsenal. It’s all about adding consistency for him, fortunately for Utah, he’s a dedicated player and hard worker. Developing his playmaking abilities and offensive instincts will be crucial for his long-term success.
Consistency is another area of concern for Skahan. While he can be a dominant physical presence, he sometimes misreads plays, he can get beat wide by especially gifted forwards, and he too often finds himself out of position being overly physically aggressive. Improving his positional awareness and maintaining consistent positioning and reads will be key to his development. Those strategic improvements, combined with some mechanical upgrades needed to become a better all-compass skater, especially backwards and laterally will make the difference on whether he’s a depth player in the NHL, fulfilling the role of net-front bully and PKer or whether he can be a reliable middle pairing defensive presence capable of shutting down top players.
- Trent Hess
The 3rd installment (prospects 11th-15th) of our Prospect Rankings will be released soon, so be on the lookout!
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