Prospect Info: 2023-2024 In The System: Charlotte Checkers, CHL, NCAA, Europe, etc.

[Prominence Problem]

Think I said it already… Wasn’t that high on the kid, but this year…

He keeps giving me the Swaggy-vibe each time I see him on highlights or TV !

We’ll see what the future holds, but Zito’s late-round drafting has been really interesting.

I've seen him play about 10 times. A handful live, and the rest on TV.

I think Swaggy is a good comparison for his offensive game.
But defensively and the way his body makeup is, I think he resembles Luostarinen a lot.
He has a long gangley reach. He is also very sound defensively.

I know he's a winger, but I can't wait till he makes the big club and Barkov can rub off on him.

Hunt was also an undrafted free agent

Hunt was also a bit smaller than him.

 

[Prominence Problem]

Vilmanis with the primary assist.

 

[BabyBennettov]

Vilmanis with the primary assist.

Good play leaving the puck while skating to the blueline in opposite directions… And then he is already the first player you see at the net-front for a potential rebound !

Crazy development for this kid in the last year… Like REAL crazy !!

Hope he makes it now, and I certainly wasn’t a fan before really watching him this season !!!

 

[Prominence Problem]

Vilmanis had a goal and 2 assists as North Bay has come all the way back to force a
game 7 in the Eastern conference final in the OHL.



His centerman Arnsby also had one goal. Makes me think he might get a shot with Charlotte next season as the two seem to have good chemistry together.

 

[BabyBennettov]

Vilmanis had a goal and 2 assists as North Bay has come all the way back to force a
game 7 in the Eastern conference final in the OHL.

Another Swaggy kinda of highlight… Some chaos all around, puck still find its way to his stick and a great release ! BOOM.

Also LOVE that Sandman nickname…

Rooting for the Battalion to complete the reverse sweep and go all the way to the Memorial Cup ! LFG !!

 

[Prominence Problem]

Another Swaggy kinda of highlight… Some chaos all around, puck still find its way to his stick and a great release ! BOOM.

Also LOVE that Sandman nickname…

Rooting for the Battalion to complete the reverse sweep and go all the way to the Memorial Cup ! LFG !!

It is a great nickname.

 

[PatchesOhoulihan]

Barkov can rub off on him.

 

[Ghoste]

 

[BabyBennettov]

Another sneaky good little pick by Zito…

Love his style ! Don’t know if he will make it…

But if he does… He will be a fan-favorite for sure ! That kid is a wrecking-ball… A tiny one, but he is SO intense !

If Zito hits on a couple of those late rounders (Vilmanis, Davies, Devine…), we should be in a pretty good shape going forward.

 

[Prominence Problem]

North Bay lost game 7 of the Eastern conference finals on Monday, and are now out of the playoffs.

Vilmanis (rd 5 #157, '22) recorded a secondary assist in the game, finishing his playoffs atop the playoff scoring lead with 27 points (10G , 17A) in 16 games. Game one of the Finals was last night, and he still holds the scoring lead by 2 points. Expect to see him on the right-wing in Charlotte next season.

Arnsby (rd 7 #214, '22) concluded his junior career. He finished the playoffs with 3 points (2G, 1A) in 10 games (I believe we went into the playoffs hurt.) Scoring really Isn't his game though. He has been captain for North Bay the last 3 seasons, and last year was voted by coaches the best defensive forward, and face off man in the Eastern Conference. He is also Vilmanis' center, most of the time.
I could see him getting a contract from the Panthers, and receiving a try-out invitation to Charlotte next season.

 

[letsgrowcactus]

North Bay lost game 7 of the Eastern conference finals on Monday, and are now out of the playoffs.

Vilmanis (rd 5 #157, '22) recorded a secondary assist in the game, finishing his playoffs atop the playoff scoring lead with 27 points (10G , 17A) in 16 games. Game one of the Finals was last night, and he still holds the scoring lead by 2 points. Expect to see him on the right-wing in Charlotte next season.

Arnsby (rd 7 #214, '22) concluded his junior career. He finished the playoffs with 3 points (2G, 1A) in 10 games (I believe we went into the playoffs hurt.) Scoring really Isn't his game though. He has been captain for North Bay the last 3 seasons, and last year was voted by coaches the best defensive forward, and face off man in the Eastern Conference. He is also Vilmanis' center, most of the time.
I could see him getting a contract from the Panthers, and receiving a try-out invitation to Charlotte next season.

Encouraging performance by Vilmanis for sure.
It'll be interesting to see how he does with Charlotte next year.

 

[Thewselius]

Vilmanis height and weight really is perfect for NHL. Can't remember since we've had a European so hopeful. Latvian nonetheless. I can't recall any Latvians in the NHL even. I know he was an overeager but I love the way he drives to the net. Kinda reminds me of what Tarasenko does on the RW.

 

[austropanther]

Vilmanis height and weight really is perfect for NHL. Can't remember since we've had a European so hopeful. Latvian nonetheless. I can't recall any Latvians in the NHL even. I know he was an overeager but I love the way he drives to the net. Kinda reminds me of what Tarasenko does on the RW.

Karlis Skrastins, Sandis Ozolinsh, Sergei Zholtok, Arturs Irbe, Raitis Ivanans, Rudolf Balcers, Arturs Silovs... for such a small country they always had one or the other really good player coming over the pond

 

[Dread Clawz]

Vilmanis height and weight really is perfect for NHL. Can't remember since we've had a European so hopeful. Latvian nonetheless. I can't recall any Latvians in the NHL even. I know he was an overeager but I love the way he drives to the net. Kinda reminds me of what Tarasenko does on the RW.

Well, we were all so hopeful for Denisenko and Hepo. But I agree that Vilmanis is a different type of player. More suited for the NHL. He had a good training camp in the fall too. Very good chance to become at least a depth player for us in the future.