In the NHL draft, players in their third year of eligibility can sometimes present an intriguing proposition for teams. These players have had additional time to develop their skills, gain experience, gain leadership, and gain invaluable resiliency, potentially making them valuable members to an organization despite not being drafted in their initial years of eligibility. This extended development period can reveal their personal growth, and adaptability—key traits for professional success. Furthermore, even if these players remain undrafted, NHL organizations continue monitoring their progress through their last year of junior hockey and college. Some players mature later, transforming into free agents who can impact professional organization’s depth charts. Their continued development and perseverance can lead to breakthroughs, making them potential assets worth investing a draft pick in.
Below is a list of players who might not be the most glamorous players in the game but each has continued to work and develop their craft so that they could be valuable pieces to an organization.
Please click on a player to read that player’s past reports and his comparable players;
Max Graham (LW, L, 6’3″, 203, Kelowna Rockets, 05/21/2004)
Ondrej Becher (RW, L, 6’1″, 184, Prince George Cougars, 02/22/2004)
Erik Pahlsson (RW, L, 6’1″, 184, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 04/09/2004, Minnesota)
Antonin Verreault (LW, L, 5’8″, 161, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 07/28/2004)
Ethan Whitcomb (RW, L, 6’4″, 209, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 05/13/2004, Connecticut)
Charlie Major (C, R, 5’11”, 178, Chicago Steel, 09/14/2004, Cornell)
Ryan Spinale (RW, R, 6’5″, 205, Lincoln Stars, 02/09/2004, Colgate)
Dominik Rymon (F, L, 5’10”, 156, Everett Silvertips, 05/29/2004)
Mick Thompson (LW, L, 5’8″, 171, Chicago Steel, 03/01/2004, Harvard)
Kenta Isogai (LW, L, 5’9″, 169, Wenatchee Wild, 08/28/2004)
Jake Sondreal (C, L, 5’11”, 174, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 02/19/2004, Boston College)
Harrison Meneghin (G, L, 6’3″, 165, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 09/13/2004)
Nathan Lewis (F, R, 6’6″, 209, Youngstown Phantoms, 07/27/2004, Ohio State)
Dalyn Wakely (RW, R, 6’0″, 198, North Bay Battalion, 03/05/2004)
Jan Spunar (G, L, 6’3″, 185, Portland Winterhawks, 05/30/2004)
Ruslan Gazizov (LW, L, 5’11”, 185, London Knights, 01/21/2004)
Isaac Gordon (RW, R, 6’0″, 187, Michigan Tech, 01/29/2004, Michigan Tech)
Jackson Stewart (LW, L, 6’0″, 182, Owen Sound Attack, 06/18/2004)
JJ Wiebusch (C, R, 6’0″, 173, Sioux Falls Stampede, 02/20/2004, Penn State)
Reid Dyck (G, L, 6’4″, 194, Swift Current Broncos, 01/20/2004)
Steve Leskovar (D, L, 6’3″, 210, Mississauga Steelheads, 09/09/2004)
Markus Vidicek (C, L, 5’10”, 162, Moncton Wildcats, 03/21/2004)
Jonathan Fauchon (C, L, 5’11”, 172, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, 01/13/2004)
Gavin O’Connell (RW, R, 6’0″, 180, Michigan State, 02/10/2004, Michigan State)
Charles Cote (D, L, 6’6″, 190, Rimouski Oceanic, 07/02/2004)
Yoan Loshing (LW, L, 5’9″, 165, Moncton Wildcats, 02/29/2004)
Nikita Prishchepov (RW, L, 6’1″, 195, Victoriaville Tigers, 02/20/2004)
Samuel St-Hilaire (G, L, 6’2″, 185, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 05/11/2004)
Owen Van Steensel (LW, L, 5’10”, 174, North Bay Battalion, 08/04/2004)
Marshall Finnie (RW, R, 6’2″, 191, Edmonton Oil Kings, 01/02/2004)
Max Hildebrand (G, L, 6’2″, 187, Prince Albert Raiders, 06/29/2004)
Dylan Hryckowian (F, R, 5’10”, 173, Northeastern University, 05/19/2004, Northeastern)
Chase Pietila (D, R, 6’2″, 186, Michigan Tech, 03/03/2004, Michigan Tech)
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images