Will Reynolds (D, L, 6’3″, 190, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 08/11/2007)
Will Reynolds is a mobile, rangy left-shot defenseman who shows clear two-way potential. At 6’3”, he possesses the size NHL teams covet, and pairs it with intelligent puck movement, efficient zone exits, and sound positional instincts. He played a top-four role for Acadie-Bathurst this season, averaging nearly 20 minutes per game and leading the team in short-handed minutes among defensemen. While not flashy, Reynolds is effective, reliable, and trending up.
Statistical Profile (2024–25):
GP G A P PIM +/-
64 4 10 14 69 +5
Average per Game:
TOI: 19:23
PPT / SHT: 0:14 / 3:04
PIA / PID: 7:30 / 9:37
Hits: 1.42
Shots on Goal: 1.24
Blocked Shots: 1.69
Puck Battles (C / C%): 11 / 56%
Pass Completion: 84%
Giveaways / Takeaways: 5.1 / 8.0
Pre-Shot Passes: 0.56
Reasons to Draft:
Ideal Frame with Skating Foundation: At 6’3” and 190 lbs, Reynolds has legitimate NHL size and his footwork is strong for a defenseman of his stature. He skates well with smooth pivots, sound gap control, and the ability to close space in transition.
Poised and Responsible with the Puck: Reynolds rarely panics under pressure. His 84% pass completion rate and ability to make hard, accurate stretch passes in stride reflect a defender who sees the ice well and understands spacing. His puck retrievals and first passes might not be dynamic but they are reliable.
High Defensive Usage: Averaging over 3:00 SH TOI per game, he earned trust from the coaching staff to play in critical defensive situations, especially on key defensive zone face-offs and on the PK.
Efficient Defensive Habits: He plays within himself and understands risk management. His stick placement is strong, and he uses his reach well to break up entries. He’s not overly aggressive, but closes quickly and maintains solid body position.
Mature Timing in Offensive Activation: While he doesn’t force offense, Reynolds chooses smart times to join the rush and moves pucks quickly from low to high in the zone. He’s unlikely to be a power play defenseman, but his ability to make timely plays and hold the line gives him secondary power play value.
Reasons for Concern:
Physical Inconsistency: Despite his frame, Reynolds doesn’t always assert himself physically. He averaged 56% in puck battles, which is excellent, but can be too reliant on reach instead of separating players with the type of force that will be required in the National League. He’ll need to add overall body strength to win battles consistently at the highest level.
Lack of Offensive Production: His 14 points in 64 games and 0.35 scoring chances per game are modest. He shows offensive instincts and flashes of deception at the blue line, but he’s not yet a consistent threat or play driver in the offensive zone.
Reactive at Times in the D-Zone: There are instances where his defensive reads lag slightly—e.g., stepping too late into lanes or being indecisive on rotations. These are correctable with coaching but reflect a player still adjusting to being a physical presence.
No Special Teams Identity Yet: While relied on heavily for penalty kill work, he hasn’t carved out a niche offensively and gets limited PP time. He profiles more as a defensive defenseman at this stage.
Projection:
Reynolds projects as a third-pair NHL defenseman with penalty killing and defensive-zone usage upside. If he continues to grow into his frame, develops more edge physically, and quickens his puck decisions under pressure, he could elevate into a shutdown role with occasional secondary offense.
Draft Recommendation:
Late 3rd–4th Round Pick
Reynolds is not a high-ceiling pick but offers a strong foundation of size, skating, and defensive intelligence. For clubs looking to develop a long-term, efficient penalty killer or stay-at-home presence with enough mobility to play today’s NHL pace, Reynolds is a viable selection in the mid-to-late rounds. He’ll need time, strength gains, and continued adjustment to pace, but there is NHL utility in his style and profile.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images