The 2018 draft was nearly two months ago and we saw many defencemen get taken in the top 10 and beyond. Most recently, hockey fans got a sneak peek at some of the top prospects with the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Tournament and we figured it's as good a time as any to look ahead for the 2019 NHL Draft. Below is a list of the first five names that could be called next June.

Jack Hughes

Via NHL.com

Hughes is the son of former Maple Leafs scout Jim Hughes and has been the consensus top prospect for a number of years. He was born on May 14, 2001, in Orlando, Florida, but was fortunate to spend time in the GTA in a hockey hotbed. He may not be overly large at 5'10 and 161 lbs, but he should be able to fit the modern style of play. Last season, Hughes played for U-18 and U-17 National teams of the USDP as well as the USNTDP Juniors of the USHL. In the USDP, he played a total of 60 games scoring 40 goals for 116 points. In the USHL, we played 27 games scoring 21 goals for 54 points. Although he is seen as a consensus first overall pick, it will be interesting to see if he can hold onto that title or if someone else will force themselves into the conversation.

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Dylan Cozens

Via Hockey Canada

Dylan Cozens was born on Feb. 9, 2001, in Whitehorse, Yukon and currently plays for the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL. He's a 6’3 and 176 lbs center who is seen as a power forward with great skill and top-line potential. In his rookie season last year, he played in 57 games for Lethbridge, scoring 22 goals and 53 points and made 16 playoff appearances adding 7 goals and 13 points. Before his rookie year, he played the final three games of the Hurricanes season registering one point and played in 12 playoff games and getting three goals for eight points. Recently, he won the Hlinka Gretzky Cup for Canada playing in five games and scoring two goals for five total points.

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Kaapo Kakko

Via Twitter

Kaapo Kakko is a Finnish winger who was born on Feb. 13, 2001, in Turku, Finland. He is set to play for TPS of the Liiga next season but may see some time playing in Jr. A SM-Liiga. He emerged as a promising scoring winger in recent seasons putting up over point-per-game totals in the Junior leagues. Last season, Kakko played mostly in the Jr. A league scoring 25 goals and adding 30 assists for 55 points in 38 games. He also played in the Jr. B league playing in 6 games scoring seven goals for 11 points and played the same amount of games in the men’s Liiga adding an assist for one point.

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Alex Newhook

Via Victoria Sports News

Alex Newhook was born on Jan. 28, 2001, in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Newhook is a 5’11 183 lbs Forward who currently plays for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL. In his rookie season, he played in 45 games scoring 22 goals and 44 assists for 66 points. He also played at the U-17 tournament for Canada Black playing in five games and scoring one goal and three assists for four points. This upcoming season, he is set to become captain of the Victoria Grizzlies and is committed to Boson College for the 2019-2020 season.

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Vasili Podkolzin

Via theScore.com

Vasily Podkolzin is a 5’11 165 lbs right winger and was born on June 24, 2001, in Russia. He played for the Vityaz Podolsk U17 of the Russian U17 league in 21 games played scoring 13 goals and adding 17 assists for 30 points. He also played in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Tournament where he captained team Russia scoring eight goals and three assists for 11 points in five games. This upcoming season, he is expected to play for the SKA-1946 St.

Although it’s hard to gauge with almost a year out, but this draft seems to be a very deep one. Some would even go as far as saying the draft might be deeper than 2003 which saw players like Brent Burns, Ryan Kesler, Mike Richards, and Corey Perry taken between the 20th and 30th overall picks. Only time will tell, but 2019 will be a promising year for teams looking to add some young talent.

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