NHL Child Prodigies | WHERE Are They Now?!

CORRECTION - Aito Iguchi was not drafted by the Quebec Remparts. I got him and another Japanese prospect confused when reading an article.
In today's video we go over the childhood journey of Cole Caufield, Nathan MacKinnon, Oliver Walhstrom, Aito Iguchi and Tyler Benson!
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[@RobTalksHockey]

Can you name another "Child Prodigy"?!

[@zogos_4120]

Shane Wright

[@wesmccauley5622]

I still can see McDavid when he was 12

[@DiamondkillerCS]

Crosby

[@ISB97]

Shane Wright, Matthew Savoie, Brad Lambert, Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, and Brandt Clarke You will see all these players be Top 5 picks in the 2021,2022, and 2023 Drafts

[@midimusicforever]

Mitchell Miller

[@anonymousanonymous1338]

I woulda been viral, but my knee got hurt before the championship game -every overweight uncle ever

[@thomaspella5776]

Flight would’ve gone viral but the cameras weren’t on

[@leaves8756]

How much you wanna bet he could've shot a pick over them hills

[@mattymattffs]

Lmao I played with someone who was considered a prodigy. We, his team mates, hated him. Just a complete puck hog. Fell off hard, got drafted late, bad hit a few games into the AHL season and never played again

[@liammonaghan4785]

@@mattymattffs his name?

[@SandwichMan1764]

But mine really did! :(

[@PavelBarber]

Great analysis. Refreshing to hear someone actual reference Aito's gameplay and understand the vast difference in competition and developmental hurdles that come with being born in a non traditional hockey market. It has been and will continue to be an uphill battle for the kid as he adjusts to the pace of play and physicality. What I've always said is that given the resources he's had, it's exceptionally inspirational what he's accomplished. And even if he doesn't get it he has inspired hundreds of thousands to put in the work no matter what kind of money you have.

[@RobTalksHockey]

100%. Hockey is a sport that unfortunately is highly concentrated in certain regions of the world. If anything, like you said, I hope stories like Aito inspire a new generation of talent from untraditional markets. Big fan Pavel! I really appreciate the response 👍

[@maxearl7934]

Barbs your a beauty.

[@MynameisMikeee]

I played against JVR in high school and had to shadow him. I was 5 foot 4 lining up against JVR who was probably 6 feet tall, had 50 pounds on me, and was 2 years younger. First couple of shifts he dominated me it wasn’t even fair. I ended up nut tapping him and he beat the shit out of me. Both of us were kicked out of the game. I consider that a win for me.

[@devparikh5489]

That's crazy. What high school did JVR go to?

[@ciaranmcnelis8153]

@@devparikh5489 Christian Brothers in NJ

[@devparikh5489]

@@ciaranmcnelis8153 I think I played against that school (not when JVR was there) but they are scary good.

[@ciaranmcnelis8153]

@@devparikh5489 yep i played them my senior year we got outshot 67-10 and lost 1-0 lmao

[@ajiboy1919]

@@ciaranmcnelis8153 should’ve gave your goalie enough food for the rest of the season 😂

[@Awolfx]

Aito sounds like a very interesting story in the making. I hope he can become an NHL player one day because seeing players from other non-hockeycentric countries become elite is something I'd love to see more of.

[@nickname7784]

I defended against Aito Iguchi in the 2019 summer Japan nationals. I'm 2 years older and at least a foot taller and he scored against us as if it was the easiest thing in the world. He scored all 3 goals against last years champions and won 3-2. He scored the most goals on his team for all of the games in that tournament, and got 2nd place. I know hockey in Japan sucks, but if you can beat guys that are two years older than you, not just any player but people that have been training and playing hockey for 10+ years with ease, you have to give him some credit.

[@rangersreview974]

Bro can you like stop being absolute stud? You just keep killing it!

[@RobTalksHockey]

Haha noo you

[@WayofRamen]

There are going to be a lot of teams that are going to regret passing on cole caufield because of his size. He is a generational goal scorer and I can't wait to watch him prove all the doubters wrong.

[@RobTalksHockey]

Definitely. And I can't wait.

[@RHaines76Gaming]

I hope you're right.

[@matthew3925]

Gonna be a better debrincat

[@RHaines76Gaming]

@@matthew3925 that would be great!

[@MikaTuukkanen]

I cant believe that gm:s have still not learned from the likes of St Louis and Gaudreau.

[@zachanderson218]

I would just like to point out, iguchi didn’t get drafted by the Quebec ramparts, another Japanese player yu sato was selected by the ramparts

[@kebby91gaming58]

And he was complete dog shit haha

[@PlooshYT]

“He was undersized”... He was 9 lmao

[@cwestlake1745]

He was just showing how he was undersized and continues to be today

[@merri6466]

When ur smaller then every other player on both teams what else would it be called.

[@jeremywebb5537]

@@merri6466 lol right

[@surerockco.models3452]

Chara was 5' 11" @9yo

[@salmanhatia9039]

@@surerockco.models3452 thats huge at 9

[@AlexSilver9]

Aito Iguchi and Oliver Whalstrom I remember watching years ago, so cool to see them getting even better as players

[@tyha7818]

Love waking up to a RTH vid

[@critchot7892]

recently started watching your videos and i cant get enough of them

[@heyher_the_odd]

Paused at 9:14 because I know where Mac is now. Been killing it for the Avs for years as is so close to finally getting his name on the cup. GO AVS!

[@colehealy6580]

Fun fact: Oliver Wahlstrom blocked me on xbox

[@Revonite96]

Lol what made him do that? If you don't mind me asking

[@colehealy6580]

@@Revonite96 it was a few weeks after he got drafted so Fortnite was still very popular so I joined his lobby and he actually played 2 games with us but he wasn’t talking so I sent him a message after and said “I’ll buy you a mic and send it to you at BC” as a joke and then he blocked me

[@Revonite96]

@@colehealy6580 Lmaooo

[@colehealy6580]

@@Nikki_B04 yep, he also blocked me on insta because I commented on every post asking him to unblock me on xbox, I started to get creative with my comments and that’s when he blocked me

[@thinyourface]

10:22 did anyone else see byram get layed out?

[@chrisdavis273]

Yeah it was a penalty I think too lmao

[@raedraconis]

I knew a kid growing up who was an INSANE hockey player, but at somewhere around 5' 5" he was essentially told that he would never make it professionally so he had to give up on his dream. It was truly sad. I genuinely hope that both Caufield and Iguchi are able to overcome and succeed!

[@matteoironborn7644]

I want Aito to get drafted so badly, that would be awesome

[@ISB97]

He got drafted in Phase 2 Round 9 in the USHL but not sure what team

[@ItzSwayz]

@@ISB97 waterloo blackhawks

[@ISB97]

@@ItzSwayz yeah thanks

[@carolmckee8456]

Love to see the future greats and hear some of their stories. Thanks for this, subbed.

[@ExWifeOfWhale]

I'm a 95 born player from Halifax, so I grew up playing against MacKinnon. Ever since novice hockey, he was a clear step above the pack. A truly gifted talent I have only, and will only see once in a young player. We had dedicated shadower's on this kid IN ATOM HOCKEY, and he would just end to end us every play he could (which was a whole lot). Would later go to a private hockey school called Maritime Hockey Academy where he attended. He was the most elegant, agile, fast skater you had ever seen. He could skate faster than any local top level kid within 2 years of him, every year growing up until about 16. Complete madness, the kind of kid you see once in a game as a 14 year old and and just say, "that kid is going to play in the NHL, there is just something special". It was fun to see people doubt his hype along the way, and to just look at them and kindly smile a "We will see" type deal. They hadn't seen what I had seen, a god gifted talent wielded with the heart to work to become as good as his hero Crosby.

[@alexpayne1364]

Rob has a talent of making everything interesting and satisfying

[@1upJeCK]

MacKinnon is the best player to watch in the NHL last 2 years, hands down, not even an argument the most exciting. The speed he has with the puck is unbelievable to see in person.

[@NewBeginningsThePunchNews]

I believe Cole Caufield will be a star. He has literally been a stud at every single level...and he is only get better.

[@donnaphen503]

I agree, he's great. I also believe that the local gals believe he's a "stud" too lol

[@jackmannschreck726]

Love your videos man! Keep it up!

[@rabidshaftbadger884]

You forgot about Mathias Emilio Pettersen, he was known as the Norwegian Whalstrom growing up. Drafted by the Flames, did well in his last season of College hockey and now will be playing for Stockton this year.

[@nathanielwhynot4502]

MTL was shocked and estatic when they realized he was still available. They were shocked he dropped as far as he did. Habs have a incredible history with shorter players. Yvan Cournoyer, Nils Naslund, Brian Gionta, Brendan Gallagher, and now Cole Caufield. He did great in playoffs. I'm hoping we say that alot about him in Montreal in the future as a hab

[@CulturamaJoe]

Great Video Rob! Love the analysis and the tempo. We should collaborate someday!

[@MrSharkFIN]

Swiss League is the second-tier league in Switzerland behind the National League btw

[@dylanbowsher]

This makes it all the more incredible as to just how good the superstars are.

[@RHaines76Gaming]

Rob talks hockey, love the content, yo!

[@RobTalksHockey]

Thanks brother!

[@Yousmellikemahn]

Wahlstrom grew up a town away from me, kid was nuts. He actually committed to the University of Maine at 13, Decomitted for Havard, then ended up skipping college hockey altogether as you said.

[@KUBKO17]

Very nice videos, both parts 👏 Do series in opposite, about players who started late, were bad, etc and then suprised. Like Zdeno Chara, who at age 18 was crazy underestimated.

[@riso-1919]

ej ty Slovak, LOL som necakal ze tu dakoho najdem XD

[@skinflaver]

I got to play Carl haglend. There is a huge difference from nhl and just us mortals. I was a defensive defence man. And he was so difficult to stay up with. He was a step up from the rest of us.

[@BigGoldChungus]

Kailer Yamamoto is 1/4 Japanese and he's small as well, He's a Monster

[@Leaf_VT]

A potential duo of either KK/Suzuki and Caufied has to be the most exciting it's ever been to be a Habs fan

[@squidman1249]

Im not even that strong of a habs fan and im still so excited to see that. Also looking forward to seeing what romanov becomes

[@williamwoodsworth441]

The Has have a bright future, so between you and me, let's not focus on the current.

[@haroldlawson8771]

But price isn’t getting younger though

[@squidman1249]

@@haroldlawson8771 true but honeslty, i think he could be a decent goaltender at an older age. Maybe not worth the 10.5 million dollars but i think he could still be could, and theres a chance he could be traded before he gets even older. I know Price requested a trade if the team didnt make the playoffs this past year, and obviously they did, but I still wouldnt rule out the possibility of a trade

[@CanadianBongRipper]

7:12 you're confusing Igushi with Sato. Igushi was drafted in the 7th round of the USHL draft. Igushi likely will never make it to the nhl or even ahl, he's way too small and has yet to prove himself against real competition.

[@RobTalksHockey]

You are correct:/

[@MayonnaiseOreo]

I'm a little surprised you never mentioned Rob Shremp. He had a bunch of hype in the mid-2000s when he was 13.

[@theuglyass3000]

I remember a few years ago, aito, played with my buddy’s team (jr rivermen) and he was really good with them here in North America fit right in, funny kid to.

[@skylarblu1]

I’m from Vancouver and I watched Aito Iguchi play at Ice sports (Canlan North Vancouver) a couple years ago for the 03’ Langley Rivermen

[@jakeheerwagen8007]

One thing I love about MacKinnon is say the Avs don’t have a good period is if you watch his face. He just goes this is not happening and just goes beast mode. I mean I’m an Avs fan but it’s insane to watch live

[@jasondashney]

The look on his face after they were eliminated from the playoffs this year was crazy. His look said that he did everything he possibly could and it still wasn't enough. To put on that kind of performance and still get eliminated right away must've stung.

[@jakeheerwagen8007]

@@jasondashney oh yeah for sure. But I mean if you look through this whole season we never had any luck with the injury bug so I guess it wasn’t meant to be this year. But hopefully next year we know what we need to do

[@PhoenixRiseinFlame]

You missed Matthias Emilio Pettersen, who was deemed by some to be the Norwegian Wayne Gretzky at a young age. His highlights are filthy.

[@TheSkeletor612]

He’s not a bad college player

[@loganmclarry]

He played for the University of Denver! Go Pios!

[@andrewburney8075]

Great video idea

[@scotiaE46M3]

Rob, good video. I’m from Halifax. Let me know if you ever want to visit Cole Harbour!

[@humesspoon3176]

Where do you get that Aito was drafted by Quebec? Pretty sure you’re referencing Yu Sato.

[@Empericalmonkey]

Wad thinkin the same thing.

[@RobTalksHockey]

Yep, I goofed that unfortunately. I read several articles on Sato and Iguchi and got the story confused :/

[@humesspoon3176]

@@RobTalksHockey no problem, dude. Good video nonetheless.

[@cocacolamen29]

Anyways Sato isn’t on the Remparts anymore he was god awful last year... Roy gave im many chances on the 2nd line and 3 line but never came up to the expectations so he was pretty much always on the 4th line or a healty scratch for the rest of the season until they part ways with im before training camp this year. Its really unfortunate to say but he’s one top the worst euro player that I have seen play for the Remps...

[@internetaccount9010]

Benson and Sam Steel have been connected their whole careers. Played on rival minor hockey teams, finished top 2 in scoring, drafted 1-2 in the WHL draft, played on the same team 5 times (Canada and all-star), drafted two apart in the NHL and now are in the same division in both the AHL and NHL

[@gardmayer99]

There happen to be two exceptional 10U players from Austin, TX who will compete in the BRICK Tournament this summer - Charlie Fox and Cade O'rourke.

[@benmunro7666]

The only hockey channel I like here

[@stockey]

Caufield will live to the hype.

[@cameronadams1125]

At 5 foot 7 he’s really undersized... Laughs in Nathan Gerbe

[@bens4483]

Lol i agree, size isn't as huge a deal as it was 20 years ago. If you can keep your head up and use your speed and skill then there's a chance for ya! Look at Martin St. Louis and his fruitful career. Guy stands 5'8"

[@benjaminquan3247]

I know a highschool prodigy who scored 4 TD's in one game for Polk High

[@Islanders83]

I heard he sells shoes now. It’s a shame, he could have been a great pro football player.

[@fremontgruss4526]

Exceptional video

[@codyshem2888]

That Caufield segment aged like a fine wine lol

[@iAMtheSushie]

I was surprised to not see Matoy Michkov in this. Very popular Russia kid!

[@mathysgosselin259]

Love you RTH ❤️

[@christinechesna638]

That’s more than 4 points a game for Tyler Benson, wow that’s impressive

[@Swoop187OG187]

I think it's ridiculous that players these days in the draft slip because of size.. Cole Caufield is going to be a "beast" for the Habs.. I mean I can get size being an issue if this was the "old NHL" - but it's not the old NHL - this new modern game is build for skating, speed and skill and if a player possesses a couple of those traits then regardless of their size they will certainly have the opportunity to live up to their potential.. Also, as a smaller former player myself I think smaller guys have their own advantages. I mean if you're on the smaller end, can skate, have some speed and use that skating ability to be elusive then you can be quite the handful for bigger guys, especially defenseman - not only that - but you can force them to get frustrated and take bad penalties to boot.. So yea, only a fool would pass up on a skilled player because of size.. I mean the funniest part is that guys like Caulfield and DeBrincat made it far enough to be talked about as being top talent in the draft BUT.... But what??? Yea, I think they know how to play hockey against bigger players considering they've been doing it their entire lives, lol... Being on the smaller end of the scale is nothing odd to them considering that is "normal".. Their entire games were built around their size, and had they "been bigger" they wouldn't have the same game. This is why I laugh when hockey scouts say "well only if he was 4 inches taller he would be a top 3 pick in this draft", lol - yeah if he was 3-4 inches taller he wouldn't be the dynamic player he is... Look, I'm just getting sick of hearing "size" called out as being an issue these days when smaller skilled players continually prove scouts and GM's wrong... I mean name the last smaller player that didn't go on to become an NHL talent and mainstay whom scouts said "oh he would have gone top 5 ONLY IF he was a few inches taller"??.. I can't think of anyone. Heck even guys like Nathan Gerbe made it and Gerbe is shorter than I am, lol.. Oh and it's hilarious seeing Gerbe side-by-side with Chara, it's nuts - Gerbe looks like a toddler..

[@philippehamel7245]

I don’t know if you know Xavier Parent but he was like the best peewe in the country

[@jurajslafkovsky4554]

Buddy still on moose heads?

[@jacobcloutier1019]

Liam Armit , He is a 9 years old player who played in a Leagu where people were 2 years older then him and he had the most goal in this league , when he played against is ages , he avareged 10 goals a game , he is a incredible , Tall RH player , he was 5" at 9 years old

[@williamwoodsworth441]

Go Habs Go Cole Caufield is the boss. Great video Rob! Keep it up with making Habs fans feel good about their deranged team! I just would like to ask you Rob, how do you make videos this good every four days? It's incredible!

[@chasecrawshaw3088]

Love the content, but wanted to clarify that Aito Iguchi was not drafted and signed by Quebec. That was Yu Sato, who did play for the Remparts this past season. Iguchi was drafted by the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL in the 7th round and has not signed with the club.

[@keir13]

Hey Rob, why did Tyler Benson opt to play in the Swiss league over the AHL? Great video, man. Love those Aito Iguchi clips!

[@Islanders83]

AHL season hasn’t started. NHL teams are loaning their prospects to teams overseas until nhl/AHL seasons start.

[@kimbyrne6968]

Also Dylan dejarlais who’s dad played for the Detroit red wings in the nhl and he was almost moved up to the Loudoun knights double a peewee team as a squirt player. He’s still a squirt player that recorded 4 goals in less than half of the game vs the Bowie bruins who had not lost a game coming into that game. Dylan can smash squirt records easily.

[@dsc4178]

Like with many so young players, it's a long time from 9 to 18. Sometimes it's just that they aren't growing and look so good because everyone else is growing and not used to their changing size.

[@jasondashney]

0:40 Look at how much a little kid he is. 2 years later he would dominate the NHL. Wow.

[@EMan-hr5vf]

You might want to make another vid on the next batch of prodigies those being Kiviharju, Masi, and Nansi.

[@bull4em]

Seth Jones. I was level 4 USA coach remember an article in hockey news about his story and they where scouting him at a young age. His background of his dad being a pro basketball player and Seth playing in Texas hockey, could he make the nhl. He was drafted 4th overall 1st round 2013. Being a stars fan was hoping he went there. Lol.

[@antoninprevost3314]

I think you confused Aito Iguchi with Yu Sato. Love the vid.

[@RobTalksHockey]

Just the QMJHL part unfortunately. Thanks dude!

[@93smintz]

Also Devin Setoguchi had that one great year with the sharks

[@DickLongFlop14]

Cool to watch this now, since Mackinnon is now a Stanley cup champion

[@j_f_cards4794]

Keep an eye out for Amelio Santini, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada

[@colinbowden81]

10:14 #9 back checking is Sam steel who plays on the ducks now

[@banitz.]

1:11 got me replaying it

[@chastitywhore6141]

In the old days these small players would have to overcome the hard hitting that was once allowed in the NHL. It’s basically a game of shinny now.

[@extensive7286]

I feel iguchi's situation about being a japanese hockey player for two years I'm stuck in playing against only three teams in Philippine Minor Hockey League (PMHL) in the same arena it's hard to be a hockey fan living in a country where the only popular sports is boxing and basketball

[@kyqqproductions8914]

me: *goes to sleep* me: *wakes up* Rob talks hockey: *uploads* me: Oh god, it's happening. Everybody stay calm

[@vojteslavthegreat6321]

Wahlstrom scored his 1st NHL goal today

[@thomasholokrys]

not exactly a prodigy but former Hartford Whaler Carey Wilson said Jonathan Toews would be an all star in the NHL when he was 10

[@hudsonhill860]

Did anyone see the clip of Connor mcdavid practicing at 11:34 that is one of my home rinks it’s ntr (national training rinks) in Newmarket Ontario

[@berryscott3590]

Whatever happened to Taro Tsujimoto, of the Tokyo Katanas? Just a flash in the pan?

[@7Kajun]

9:48 That's nothing! My rookie be a pro can score 600 goal per season!

[@kylestrozinsky8497]

I always think of Roman James Marcotte. Currently a kid on the rise

[@adamdanforth2885]

Rob, I enjoy watching your videos. While I enjoy watching the kids play, I think it is doing a disservice to the kids to consider them as potential NHLers at the 8-14 year old ages. (I am not insinuating you are doing this, of course)

[@mendelsonja]

Honestly if a kid wants to make the push for it they (and their families) need to put the effort in from a very young age. A lot of them won't make it but considering how short the average NHL career is and how competitive it is (teams are allowed 50 contracts each including 2-way deals in the AHL, so with Seattle coming into the league you're looking at 1600 total players maximum in the entire world). The difference between AHL and NHL salary-wise is enormous and that 1600 limit is including the AHL. I do agree that it's a ton of pressure to put on anyone, particularly at such a young age, but in reality in order to be an NHL-calibre player (and ideally not the cup of coffee in the NHL player), there isn't really a choice. The kid should also be 100% on board with the decision - if they don't want to push for it and the parents do because they see the potential (and potential $) in the kid, that parent is an asshole. Likewise, at a certain point realism should set in for both the kid and the parents - at some point you might have to realize you aren't going to make it to passed junior/whatever level and you need to be able to accept that you need to prepare yourself education/career-wise. Of course this is a difficult decision and I'm sure some people are left with "what if?" situations if they think they could've been a fringe player and lived their dreams, even if it was only for a couple of games, but at some point you have to make an informed decision. (I know there are examples of people who went undrafted and managed to push and have incredible careers. As a Sharks fan, Dan Boyle and Joel Ward jump out in recent memory, as does Joe Pavelski (7th round), Kevin Labanc (6th round), ...

[@danglsnipe23]

Wahlstrom is currently killing it. Idk about ovi but his release and shot are comparable

[@alexanderjames8190]

There is a foreword in Winnipeg that got over 100 points in 33 or so AAA games. His name is Jayden Perron

[@Vilgotczky]

Would be so cool if Aito Iguchi made it to the NHL.

[@ethancrisp3491]

@5:30 turning around to defend and realizing Mack has already passed you lol

[@jamesfrizz1]

Anyone watching in 2021 and realising that goal caufield is a god

[@mattm7788]

The thing about hockey is that these guys are usually pretty okay. Like they're playing professionally somewhere. Completely different from those “no days off” videos from Whistle

[@ihave1i947]

if i knew aito iguchi played a game at my home rink i would’ve went to it (which he did. that’s my home rink in the last few clips for aito)

[@evolancer211]

And this year, McKinnon is a cup winner!

[@rangersreview974]

Tomas Jurco comes to mind

[@peteheeringa23]

I’m playing in the brick invatashoinal tarnament on the jr wing

[@grxygxds]

Mackinnons rookie cards are selling like crazy 😳 load up now before next season

[@morbidmax7064]

Even if he's old school Peter Forsberg was a child prodigy. Skating well, good hands and stubborn determination.

[@gabrielacarroll4203]

watching this after wahlstrom started ripping it up in the nhl and then barry benched him for literally no reason hits different

[@sean8375]

i played against wahlstrom in a spring league tourney and he laid my shit out. also played against trevor zegras and spencer knight routinely from age 11-16. zegras was insane. played 1 tournament with arthur kaliyev and he was by far the best i played with.

[@jgallaway]

Oh shit

[@evanmuller333]

Great video, you should do a video with future nhl stars that are current child prodigies like Shane weight, aito aguchi, brad lambert, Aaron kiviharju

[@evanmuller333]

I commented this early on and didn’t see the aito aguchi section

[@pepsiiiiiiiiiii]

damn i played for the same club as tyler benson. southside athletics baby

[@hattrickk3338]

Arctic ice arena let’s go!

[@garziesnipes132]

there was a kid in my league like two years ago who had 72 goals in 19 games