Vancouver Canucks 2013 EHEC Draft Review

[VancouverCanucksGM]

Coming into the 2013 EHEC Draft, the Vancouver Canucks had 11 picks, and would leave with 11 players.

The Canucks made three draft day trades. The first, saw Vancouver send the 24th overall pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins, in exchange for the 28th pick in the 1st round and the 12 pick in the 2nd round (42nd overall).

The next trade involved the Washington Capitals, who sent Colorado's 2nd round pick (39th overall) and their own 2nd round pick (56th overall) to Vancouver for Dallas' 2nd round pick (32nd overall) as well as Dallas' 4th round selection (92nd overall).

The last deal of the day, had the Canucks send their 4th round pick (96th overall) to the Tampa Bay Lightning, for 25 year old forward (C/LW) Chris Vande Velde. Chris will look to shore up the 3rd line at center while also seeing some time on the PK.

On to the draftees.

FIRST ROUND


With the 9th overall pick, the Canucks selected forward Sean Monahan (18, 6'2, 186 lbs) from the Ottawa 67's of the OHL. Sean had 125 points (53+72=125) in 127 games with the 67's while also accumulating a combined +49 and a minimal 70 PIMS. In his second season with Ottawa, he saw his goal total go up from 20 to 33, as well as his assists from 27 to 45, showing the kind of progress the Canucks are looking for. He also saw time in the World Junior Champions with Team Belarus, notching 4 assists in 3 games. With his exemplary hands, solid shot and fast skating, the Canucks are hoping to have a gem in Sean, that will begin to shine with the Canucks as early as the 2014-2015 season. Sean will look to make the jump from the OHL to the AHL next season, as the Canucks have him penciled in as their starting center with the Chicago Wolves.


Vancouver, having consecutive picks, wasted no time in picking Jacob De La Rose (17, 6'2, 189 lbs) from Leksand of the Swedish Jr. League. De La Rose has the intangibles to make his defensive skill set even more effective. With his above average skating, as well as his faceoff ability, he has the potential to be one of the better defensive forwards in the future. Jacob also adds an as of yet undeveloped physical game, which with his strength and hitting ability will only guarantee his place in the Canucks roster for years to come. It has yet to be determined if Jacob will join the Wolves in the AHL, or remain in Sweden for a more seasoning.


With their third and final pick in the 1st round (28th overall), the Canucks chose goaltender Marcus Hogberg (18, 6'3 196 lbs) from Linköpings HC of the Swedish under 20 league. Marcus played in the same league as fellow 1st round pick Jacob De La Rose, posting a goals against average of 2.48 in 35 games. It was a bit of a long shot taken with Hogberg, hoping he could possibly be a starter in the EHEC at some point. Though that now seems unlikely, as it looks like he will only have the potential to become a consistent backup. Only time will tell. He will remain in Sweden to continue his development.

[VancouverCanucksGM]

SECOND ROUND


Dillon Heatherington (18, 6'3, 196 lbs), a defenseman from the Swift Current Bronco's of the WHL, was taken with Vancouver's first pick in the second round (33rd overall). Dillon has the type of size and attitude the Canucks are looking for. He will help solidify the blueline in the future. He has reliable defensive skills with an occasional effort to chip in offensively. Dillon accumulated 10 points (2+8=10) in 57 games for the Bronco's. His immediate development will take place in the WHL.


The Canucks next pick in the 2nd round (33rd overall), materialized into Regina Pats (WHL) forward Morgan Klimchuk (18, 5'11, 180 lbs). Morgan brought his game over to North America in 2010 at the age of 16, signing with the Pats. In his first season, he saw limited action, scoring one assist in only 5 games with a -1. 2011 in Regina, would be a different story, as he netted 18 goals and 18 assists in 67 games with a +3. Klimchuk also appeared in 3 games with Germany in the WJC, scoring 2 goals and adding 3 assists and finishing a +2. Though smaller in size, Morgan has a strong defensive ethic, as well as the endurance to be a solid penalty killer. He, along with Jacob De La Rose, will be considered for playing time in Chicago of the AHL.


If there was a pick Vancouver rolled the dice on, it was the 9th pick of the 2nd round (39th overall). Michael McCarron (18), all 6'5 229 pounds of him. Not wanting to take the chance on missing the boat, the Canucks took him off the board early. Projected to be a power forward, Michael has shown a propensity for being strong both physically and skating wise. While skating with the US National Team Developmental Program, McCarron scored 17 points (3+14=17) in 35 games, registering a -9 while adding 112 PIMS in 2011/2012. The following season, he had 5 goals and 5 assists in 19 games, adding 84 PIMS and an improved +1. Originally committed to playing for Western Michigan, Michael has decided instead to go to the OHL and play for the London Knights. Drafted by the OHL's Belleville Bulls in 2011, he chose the USNTDP rather than the CHL. McCarron's rights were traded by Belleville to London. The attractiveness of playing for London, who hosts the 2014 Memorial Cup, was too much for him to pass up.


William Carrier (18, 6'2 189 lbs) would be the next name called by the Canucks, with the 42nd pick overall. A forward from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL. With the Eagles, his career started out slow in 2010, with only 8 goals and 4 assists in 61 games with a dismal -28, the following season Carrier came out of his shell , scoring 70 points (27+43) in 66 games and improving his +/- to -10. William has an offensive upside, while also being fast, durable, and a wizard in the faceoff circle. That being said, the choice is on his own shoulders about what kind of player he chooses to be, a lot of that will be determined in the next 2-3 years. To show their commitment to him, the Canucks have already signed him an ELC, the team hopes he reciprocates by becoming the best player he can be. This is the kind of progress the Canucks hope William will continue to make while in Cape Breton.


Finishing off their 2nd round picks, with the 56th overall, the Canucks selected defenseman Mitchell Wheaton (18, 6'4, 228 lbs) from the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL. Seen as a defensive defenseman, Mitchell had 8 points (1+7=8) in 39 games, while earning a +20. With his natural leadership, and physical strength as his main tools, Vancouver hopes to have a solid defenseman. As with Carrier, Wheaton is seen as a bit of a project, one the Canucks feel is worth their time. With the same hopes of progression, they look forward to him starting the season with the AHL's Chicago Wolves.

[VancouverCanucksGM]

ROUNDS 5-7


Finally back into the draft, with the 6th pick in the 5th round (126th overall), Vancouver chose defenseman Andreas Borgman (17, 5'11, 187 lbs) from Timrå of the Swedish Hockey League. A fluid skater with a mind for offense, Andreas is a long shot to make the EHEC. He played in 3 games with Timrå, scoring 0 points, as well as appearing in 5 games for Team Sweden in the WJC, tallying 1 assist. He will be invited to the Canucks training camp, and then reassigned to Timrå.


Jan Stencel (17, 5'9, 176 lbs) from HC Vitkovice of the Czech Extraglia League was taken in the 6th round, 156th overall. A diminutive defenseman, is a bit of a question mark. As with most picks in this range, he too will be a long shot. Playing for Vitkovice's Under 20 team, he scored 24 points (4+20=24) with a +23 rating, but when he was called up to the parent club he seemed to get lost in the shuffle with only one assist in 18 games earning a -3. He will be invited to camp for a look, and then reassigned to Vitkovice.


With the 186th pick overall, the Canucks final pick in the 2013 EHEC draft, Martin Reway's name was called. Reway (17, 5'9, 174 lbs) chosen from the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL, has the potential to become a 2-way forward, but his one glaring fault besides his lack of size, is his ability to play with the same effort night in and night out. Transferring from the Slovakian Under 20 team to the Olympiques seemed like a smooth transition. Martin had 50 points (22+28=50) in 47 games, but was also a -1. Fast forward to the playoffs, Reway seemed like a changed player, with 12 points (1+11=12) in only 10 games and improved his +/- to +7. Vancouver will invite him to camp to see which player shows up, but in all likelihood, will be reassigned to the Olympiques.