Andrei Svechnikov is a phenom whose name has been known for years among those who have paid attention to the future of Russian hockey. Andrei, the younger brother of the Detroit Red Wings' Evgeny Svechnikov, is regarded as a very high-level prospect and perhaps the most legitimate challenger to Rasmus Dahlin for the first-overall draft position in the 2018 NHL Draft. Svechnikov is a 6'2'', 187 lbs, rangy winger with quick puck-handling skills, an impressive straight-line burst of speed, and most importantly, a high-level ability to process the game with his mind. He possesses a heavy shot and can also dish precise passes to his teammates. Although he has the capability to score goals and has started his draft season with 10 goals and only 4 assists in 10 games with the Barrie Colts of the OHL, Svechnikov is not so much a pure goal-scorer as he is a poised and intelligent playmaker with goal-scoring abilities. He is always involved with the play, positioning himself well to forecheck and backcheck in an effective manner; he knows where to be to keep a play alive and is an active skater in all three zones. He also uses a rather lengthy stick, giving him the reach to protect the puck well and shield the puck while generating offense. His use of quick bursts and his long reach allow him to pressure the opponent and force opposition turnovers. He is very controlled on his edges and strong on his skates; this balance and strength give him an advantage along the boards, around the net, and while he skates up the ice with the puck on his stick. He is one of the most polished players of his draft class, responsible and smart at both ends of the ice. Svechnikov has been, and currently is, a consensus Top 2-ranked prospect in this upcoming draft. Rankings so far: Dobber Prospects (Oct. 4): #2 Hockey Prospect (Sept. 27): #2 Corey Pronman (Sept. 26): #2 Bob McKenzie (Sept. 13): #2 NACS (Sept. 11): #2 Craig Button (Sept. 5): #3 Future Considerations (Sept. Edition): #2 The Draft Analyst (Sept. 5): #1 He currently plays for the Barrie Colts of the OHL and is in his rookie season with the team. The Colts selected him first overall in the 2017 CHL Import Draft. He played last season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, where as a 16-year-old he finished sixth in league scoring with 29 goals, 29 assists, 58 points in 48 games. This season so far, he has played played on a line with center Alexei Lipanov as his center and numerous other players on his right wing. During the week of October 15, 2017, he was diagnosed with a hand injury and received surgery to repair it on October 24, 2017. The recovery period is estimated to be approximately six to eight weeks. This five-game scouting pack features every shift from five of Svechnikov's performances from the first month of the 2017-18 OHL season. The games featured (and corresponding time stamps) are: (0:15) 2017-09-30: Barrie Colts vs Hamilton Bulldogs (23:27) 2017-10-05: Barrie Colts vs North Bay Battalion (50:45) 2017-10-06: Barrie Colts @ Sarnia Sting (1:15:23) 2017-10-07: Barrie Colts @ Saginaw Spirit (1:38:49) 2017-10-12: Barrie Colts vs Erie Otters