The NHL has a long standing tradition of prioritizing size in players, especially at the draft table. This has caused many smaller players to slip through the cracks and make some NHL teams and executives look like geniuses.
Over the years there have been many players who have been able to make a name for themselves despite their stature; Martin St. Louis, Johnny Gaudreau, Brian Gionta,and Alex DeBrincat. At the 2017 Draft a similar trend was playing itself out and caused Spokane Chiefs (WHL) winger Kailer Yamamoto to slide to the Oilers at 22nd overall.
The 5-9 winger went from 19 goals and 52 assists for 71 points in 57 games in the year before his draft year to 42 goals and 57 assists and 99 points in 65 games in his draft year.