We have our first Western Hockey League player on this list. The WHL won’t get a lot of representation in our first round rankings. However, they have a pair of good defencemen on this list.
The Vancouver Canucks have a mixed history of success when drafting from the WHL. They are often criticized for failing to draw from their own backyard. And sometimes when they do make the local pick, things don’t turn out as expected.
Defencemen are in the spotlight this year and hockey is trending towards mobile, highly skilled players. We are past the hulking defenders, devoid of any speed or talent.