Tom Willander, Daniil But, Zach Benson, Brayden Yager, Matthew Wood, Samuel Honzek, Axel Sandin Pellikka, Colby Barlow, Oliver Moore, Eduard Sale & Charlie Stramel
the basics: 6’3”, center, university of wisconsin (ncaa), st paul hometown boy
what’s he like? what’s his story?: power forward with a bottom-6 floor but some people really think he has it in him to be a lot more than that - middle-6 center is the common projection but there are people passionate in both directions, and national team people specifically have a lot of faith in him. was apparently veeery dominant in the ushl the season before this and was top-10 in a number of draft lists before a poor season at one of the ncaa bottom feeders where he didn’t put up a lot of points tanked his stock. season got better as it went on and had a good world juniors though. oh also he’s a right-handed shot
strengths: size, high high compete level, netfront presence, faceoffs, good skating for his size
weakness: on-ice decision-making, offensive talent (could be influenced by his ncaa team)
the athletic pre-draft rankings: 23 by pronman, 37 by wheeler
other: people are mean about this pick so i like him. let judd cook