In the 2023 NHL Draft, five players under 5’9″ and under were selected. These players include:
- William Whitelaw (F, R, 5’9″, 173, Youngstown Phantoms, 02/05/2005, Michigan)
- Jayden Perron (C, R, 5’9″, 163, Chicago Steel, 01/11/2005, North Dakota)
- Luca Pinelli (C, L, 5’9″, 165, Ottawa 67s U16, 04/05/2005)
- Luca Cagnoni (D, L, 5’9″, 180, Portland Winterhawks, 12/21/2004)
- Aiden Fink (RW, R, 5’9″, 155, Brooks Bandits, 11/24/2004, Penn State)
These selections highlight the NHL’s willingness to consider highly skilled players even if they fall below the average National League height of 6’1.5″, recognizing the value of their agility, speed, and hockey intelligence to impact the modern game.
Below are Neutral Zone’s highest-rated players, who are 5’9″ and smaller.
Please click on a player to read that player’s past reports and his comparable players;
Mac Swanson (C, L, 5’8″, 167, Fargo Force, 01/10/2006, North Dakota) Swanson won every individual award possible, plus being playoff MVP on the Champions. Had a stat line of 26 goals, 51 assists, and 77 points in 55 games. He won 48% of his 50/50 puck battles and was on the receiving end of 1.34 hits per game.
Roope Vesterinen (RW, L, 5’9″, 163, HPK, 01/12/2006) Vesterinen had a stat line of 4 goals, 5 assists, 9 points in 5 games at the U18 SM-sarja level and 5 goals, 6 assists, 11 points in 27 games at the U20 SM-sarja level. He won 40% of his 50/50 puck battles and was on the receiving end of 0.95 hits per game.
Akseli Pulkkanen (C, L, 5’9″, 157, KalPa, 08/07/2006) Pulkkanen had a stat line of 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 4 games at the U18 SM-sarja level and 2 goals, 14 assists, 16 points at the U20 SM-sarja level. He won 49% of his 50/50 puck battles and was on the receiving end of 0.69 hits per game.
Alexander Zetterberg (C, R, 5’7″, 162, Orebro HK J20, 04/27/2006, Boston University) Zetterberg had a stat line of 21 goals, 37 assists, 58 points in 45 games at the J20 Nationell level. He won 49% of his 50/50 puck battles and was on the receiving end of 0.53 hits per game.
Alexei Dontsov (C, L, 5’9″, 176, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, 05/26/2006) Dontsov had a stat line of 18 goals, 25 assists, 43 points in 47 games at the MHL level. He won 48% of his 50/50 puck battles and was on the receiving end of 0.54 hits per game.
Justin Poirier (RW, R, 5’7″, 186, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 09/04/2006) Poirier had a stat line of 51 goals, 31 assists, 82 points in 68 games at the QMJHL level. He won 45% of his 50/50 puck battles and was on the receiving end of 0.53 hits per game.
Viktor Olofsson (LW, L, 5’8″, 173, HV71, 02/20/2006) Olofsson had a stat line of 19 goals, 19 assists, 38 points in 47 games at the J20 Nationell level. He won 39% of his 50/50 puck battles and was on the receiving end of 0.7 hits per game.
Gavin Hodnett (C, L, 5’7″, 158, Edmonton Oil Kings, 04/09/2006) Hodnett had a stat line of 23 goals, 47 assists, 70 points in 61 games at the WHL level. He won 43% of his 50/50 puck battles and was on the receiving end of 0.74 hits per game.
Vincent Borgesi (D, R, 5’8″, 173, Northeastern University, 03/02/2004, Northeastern) Borgesi had a stat line of 5 goals, 23 assists, 28 points in 34 games at the NCAA level. He won 60% of his 50/50 puck battles and was on the receiving end of 0.89 hits per game.
As stated in a previous article, size plays a crucial role in an NHL team’s success, providing physical and strategic advantages essential for the grueling nature of playoff hockey. The average size of an NHL player is 6’1″ and 207 pounds, a benchmark that underscores the importance of physical presence on the ice. This trend is exemplified by the recent Stanley Cup finalists: the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers, with average player sizes of 6’1″, 201 pounds and 6’1″, 200 pounds, respectively. Both teams demonstrate that size is integral to competing at the highest levels, as neither has a defenseman under 6’0″ playing regular minutes in the playoffs. This physical stature allows players to endure the intense physicality of postseason play, win puck battles, and effectively defend against opposing forwards. Additionally, larger players can leverage their reach and body positioning to disrupt plays and maintain puck control, which are vital aspects of a successful playoff run. As such, maintaining a roster with a balance of skill and size is a strategic imperative for any NHL team aspiring to win the Stanley Cup.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images