Having charted the progress players already making headlines in the NHL, we take a look at some of those in this year's CHL who have been touted as 'ones to watch' ahead of next summer's NHL Entry Draft.

Eighteen-year-old forward Lias Andersson is one of only two SHL players ranked inside the International Scouting Service’s Top 25 players for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, placing No. 25 in the November list.

With 8 points (4+4) in 19 SHL games so far this season, Andersson is part of the HV71 team currently third in Sweden’s top league, and also played for the Jonkoping side in the CHL this year, recording one assist in seven games before his team was eliminated by Sparta Prague.

For Andersson, who was born in Smogen on Sweden’s west coast, hockey runs in the family. Father Niklas was a fourth-round pick (68th overall) for the Quebec Nordiques in the 1989 Draft, and went on to play 164 NHL games over six seasons and for 12 years in Sweden. Uncle Mikael played in the NHL for 15 seasons, and grandfather Ronny played seven seasons as a goalie in Sweden during the 1960s and '70s.

Andersson was an A-rated skater on the NHL Central Scouting’s “players to watch” list, and led the Swedish U20 league last season with 59 points – scoring 27 goals in 37 games along the way. He also played for the country’s U18 team at the last year’s Worlds, with 5+4 as his team took the silver medal.

“I watched him during the season – he played a couple men’s games and he was impressive," said Sweden’s U20 coach Tomas Monten during this year’s World Junior Summer Camp. "He played the same style of game against men as he did in juniors. And at the world under-18s, he was really good. He showed he can be an offensive centre, play the power play and create offensive chances.”

Andersson is currently ranked 25/31 on the ISS November ranking, #12 by Future Considerations, and #14 by Hockey Prospect.