For years, the Vancouver Canucks have opted to use their mid and late round picks on low upside players possessing size and intangibles. It was at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft though, where management altered its draft strategy to adapt to the league’s emphasis on speed and skill. No selection encompassed that reversal in strategy better than 6th round pick Petrus Palmu.
Palmu notched 40 goals and 98 points in 62 games last season for Owen Sound, placing him 4th highest in the OHL for points. Clouding this impressive production was Palmu’s height, which at five foot seven made him the shortest player drafted in 2017.