No, there aren't 100. Not even 10 unless it's a year like 2021 where no one really stands out.
At 11-12 years old, the sorting is already done. To perform in hockey, you have to start very early, at 4 years old and most of the learning is done at 12 years old.
It was at this age that Wright, Bedard and Kiviharju established themselves as the No. 1 draft players. It hasn't changed since.
If I challenge this title to Karjalahti it's because his performances are less exceptional, because I don't know any player born in 2010. It's going to be very difficult to get an idea of the Russians before the MHL now.
From the moment the player has confronted the best players in the world of his age, we can get an idea.
Karjalahti has been detected gifted by Finland hockey for several years. It deserves attention.
I prefer to talk about him at 12 and a half than random players aged 14-15 who are simply very good provincial players.
The recent past demonstrates that all gifted 12-year-old players have become great prospects.
There is some continuity in hockey when it comes to elite talent.
The player who will be number 1 in 2028 is necessarily a player who dominates very largely against older players today. A guy who is a Pee-Wee age (U13) but walks hard in Bantam (U14-U15).
