AHL notebook: Lysell, Raty among 10 Eastern Conference players to watch

The American Hockey League has a standout crop of young talent this season in the Eastern and Western Conferences.

Today, we put a spotlight on 10 Eastern Conference prospects to watch (listen in alphabetical order).
Jacob Bernard-Docker, D, Belleville (Ottawa Senators)
The 22-year-old is looking to build on a strong AHL rookie season.
Ottawa selected Bernard-Docker in the first round (No. 26) of the 2018 NHL Draft. Following three seasons at the University of North Dakota (NCAA), he turned pro late in the 2020-21 season. Last season he played 58 games with Belleville and had nine points (two goals, seven assists); he also played eight games (one assist) for Ottawa.
He has one assist in five games this season.
Dylan Garand, G, Hartford (New York Rangers)
Hartford has churned out goalies for the Rangers over the years.
Garand could be next. The 20-year-old rookie is in Hartford this season following a decorated career in the Western Hockey League. He was 34-9-1 with a 2.16 goals-against average and .925 save percentage for Kamloops last season.
A fourth-round pick (No. 103) by the Rangers in the 2020 NHL Draft, Garand was named the Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year and also won the WHL top goalie honor last season. He then won a gold medal with Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship where he was 6-0-0 with a 1.98 GAA and .925 save percentage.
He's 0-2-0 with a 3.04 GAA and .906 save percentage this season.
Ridly Greig, F, Belleville
In a seven-game audition with Belleville in the abbreviated 2020-21 AHL season, Greig impressed with a quick adaptation to the pro game at age 18.
The Senators chose Greig in the first round (No. 28) in the 2020 draft. He was the captain for Brandon (WHL) last season and had 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) in 39 games. He joined Garand as a member of the Canadian team at the World Juniors and had six points (three goals, three assists) in five games.
The 20-year-old has been out with an undisclosed injury since Oct. 14 but will be a significant part of the Belleville roster when he returns.
Joel Hofer, G, Springfield (St. Louis Blues)
The Springfield net belongs to the 22-year-old, who has started four of the first five games, going 1-3-0 with a 2.56 GAA and .911 save percentage.
Last season Hofer and Charlie Lindgren teamed to lead Springfield to the Calder Cup Final. In his first full AHL season, Hofer was 18-14-6 in 39 games with a 2.96 GAA and .905 save percentage. Hofer went 6-4 in 10 playoff games with a 2.56 GAA and .934 save percentage.
St. Louis selected Hofer in the fourth round (No. 107) of the 2018 draft.
Hendrix Lapierre, F, Hershey (Washington Capitals)
Selected in the first round (No. 22) of the 2020 draft, Lapierre started last season with the Capitals, scoring once in six games, before going to Acadie-Bathurst of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He had 51 points (20 goals, 31 assists) in 40 QMJHL games.
This season, the Capitals sent the 20-year-old to Hershey, where he has one goal and one assist through four games.
Fabian Lysell, F, Providence (Boston Bruins)
Boston fans will be keeping a close eye on this 19-year-old, who went to the Bruins in the first round (No. 21) in the 2021 NHL Draft.
After having 62 points (22 goals, 40 assists) in 53 games with Vancouver of the WHL last season, Lysell is in Providence to continue his development.
He has six points (one goal, five assists) in three games for Providence, tying him tied for third in AHL rookie scoring.
Kirill Marchenko, F, Cleveland (Columbus Blue Jackets)
The Blue Jackets selected Marchenko in the second round (No. 49) of the 2018 draft, but they had to wait until this season to bring him over from the Kontinental Hockey League. Playing part of last season with SKA St. Petersburg, Marchenko had 20 points (12 goals, eight assists) in 39 games. He impressed at training camp for Columbus before being sent down.
With seven points (four goals, three assists) in five games, the 22-year-old is in a 10-way tie for third in AHL scoring.
Aatu Raty, F, Bridgeport (New York Islanders)
The 19-year-old has generated excitement for the Islanders, who selected him in the second round (No. 52) of the 2021 draft.
Playing for Karpat and Jukurit in Finland's La Liga last season, he had 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists) in 47 games. After his season ended, he went to Bridgeport and had four points (one goal, three assists) in four playoff games. He also tied for third in tournament scoring at the World Junior Championship with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in seven games to help Finland win a silver medal.
He has one assist in five games with Bridgeport this season.
Reilly Walsh, D, Utica (New Jersey Devils)
New Jersey has taken a deliberate approach with the 23-year-old.
He was taken by the Devils in the third round (No. 81) of the 2017 NHL Draft and is beginning his third AHL season. He finished sixth among defensemen with 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists) in 70 games last season. He has two assists through four games this season.
Note: NHL.com will look at top Western Conference prospects on Nov. 10.