Owen Conrad (D, L, 6’3″, 214, Charlottetown Islanders, 03/10/2007)
Owen Conrad is a 6’3″, right-shot defenseman logging major minutes for Charlottetown in all situations. He combines NHL size with poise, high-end composure, and a growing offensive game. He skates well for his frame, has a crisp first pass, and displays pro-level awareness, but still lacks the physical assertiveness expected of a player with his stature. The tools are here for a legitimate NHL contributor, but development will hinge on improving his agility, increasing his engagement level defensively, and sharpening his puck management under pressure.
Why Owen Conrad Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) NHL Frame with Excellent Poise
At 6’3” and 214 lbs, Conrad meets the NHL’s physical standards. He handles himself calmly with and without the puck. His patience in all three zones—especially in high-pressure breakout scenarios. He processes play at a mature level and demonstrates the mental framework of a future pro.
2) Transitional Efficiency
Conrad routinely breaks the puck out under pressure. He consistently connects on the first pass (88% pass completion), reads forechecking pressure well, and has the vision and confidence to delay, reverse or transport pucks himself. His passing—particularly quick-strike outlet feeds and zone transition passes—is a key strength of his game.
3) Offensive Zone Reads & Execution
While not dynamic offensively, he generates clean zone exits and maintains offensive pressure through simple but smart movement at the blue line. He gets shot opportunities (4.3 shots attempted per game, 1.89 on goal), uses deception to create passing lanes, and delivers quality pucks that lead to pre-shot setups (0.97 passes per game lead to a teammate’s Grade “A” scoring chance).
4) Defensive Zone Details & Blocking Willingness
Conrad blocks 2.1 shots per game and recovers 2.2 loose pucks after initial saves—elite numbers that speak to anticipation, competitiveness, and sacrifice. He consistently supports his goaltender, anchors the defensive slot, and disrupts second-chance attempts.
5) Improved Gap and Stick Positioning
He’s shown marked improvement in defending the rush. His stick is consistently in passing lanes and he’s strong in one-on-one containment. His 9 takeaways per game are among the best among CHL defenders.
Why Owen Conrad Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Underwhelming Physical Presence
Conrad gives just 0.79 hits per game and receives 1.31. For a 6’3”, 214-lb defender, this is not good enough. He has the frame to dominate physically but doesn’t consistently assert himself. He lacks that mean streak and has yet to weaponize his size into intimidation. At the NHL level, he’ll need to finish more checks and play with greater edge to earn trust in a shutdown role.
2) Skating Mechanics and Agility
While his top speed and mobility are above average, his first step is still developing explosiveness and his agility in tight areas is still a step behind National League standards. Defending against quick-change direction forwards or collapsing quickly to net-front lanes in scramble situations remains a concern. He doesn’t have that explosive east-west burst NHL defenders require.
3) Shot Efficiency & Risk Management
Conrad attempts 4.3 shots per game but only hits the net 44% of the time (1.89 on net vs. 1.08 being blocked, 1.32 missing the net). He also only converts on 3.6% of his Grade “A” scoring chances, reflecting a need for quicker release mechanics and improved shot selection. Additionally, his 5.4 giveaways per game show that his poise occasionally crosses into over-handling.
4) Average Plus/Minus Despite Heavy Usage
Conrad logs over 22 minutes per game, and while we don’t feel plus/minus always tells the full story, he finished 6th among Charlottetown defenseman who played a full season. That could be a result of defensive zone face-offs and difficult match-ups but it is still a metric to pay attention to.
Projection and NHL Outlook
Projection: Bottom-four NHL defenseman with penalty kill and transition upside
Development Focus:
Increase physical assertiveness (use size as a weapon)
Improve agility and lateral footwork below the dots
Refine shot mechanics and puck selection at offensive blue line
Draft Grade: 3rd–4th Round
Verdict:
Owen Conrad is a safe, high-floor selection with projectable traits. He brings NHL size, poise, and defensive detail. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable, smart, and improving steadily. The upside may not scream “top-pairing,” but he’s the type of defender who could log honest minutes at the NHL level once his skating and physicality round out. He should be drafted, with the right expectations and a multi-year development plan focused on skating, physical assertiveness, and puck decisions under pressure.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images