The Anaheim Ducks selected eight players in this year’s NHL Draft and made one trade, acquiring the 76th overall pick, in exchange for a third-round pick next year.
Here’s a recap of Anaheim’s picks:
1st Round, 3rd Overall: Mason McTavish (F)
It was somewhat surprising to see the Ducks select McTavish with the third-overall pick, given that he was projected by many to go quite a few picks later. That said, McTavish produced well this year, scoring nine goals and 11 points in 13 regular season games in Switzerland and in the year prior, he scored 29 goals in 57 games as a rookie in the OHL. He projects as a top-six NHL center.
2nd Round, 34th Overall: Olen Zellweger (D)
Zellweger is a undersized, left-handed defenseman, who plays with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips. While he only played 11 WHL games this season, he had a very impressive 13 points in that time.
3rd Round, 66th Overall: Sasha Pastujov (F)
Pastujov has the opportunity to be a steal for the Ducks at 66th overall. He had an excellent 30 goals and 65 points in 41 games with the U.S. National Team Development program, along with 10 goals and 26 points in 18 USHL games. Based on those numbers, he could project to become a very productive NHL winger.
3rd Round, 76th Overall: Tyson Hinds (D)
Hinds is a 6-foot-3, left-handed defenseman who split the QMJHL season between the Shawinigan Cataractes and the Rimouski Oceanic. He had a single assist in 10 games with the Cataractes but produced at a much better rate with the Oceanic, scoring six goals and 15 points in 23 games.
4th Round, 98th Overall: Josh Lopina (F)
Lopina is already 20 years old but did produce well in his first NCAA season. The center managed nine goals and 23 points in 29 games with UMass-Amherst.
5th Round, 130th Overall: Sean Tschigerl (F)
Despite a small sample size, Tschigerl’s numbers in the WHL this past season certainly warrant the selection. The winger scored an impressive 13 goals and 21 points with the Calgary Hitmen, leading the team in goals and finishing second in points.
5th Round, 148th Overall: Gage Alexander (G)
The Ducks have solid goaltending depth, but Alexander seems like a decent fifth-round pick. He stands at 6-foot-6 and despite playing only nine games with the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice this year, he posted a .917 save percentage.
6th Round, 162nd Overall: Kyle Kukkonen (F)
The Ducks used their final pick to select Kyle Kukkonen. He’s a 5-foot-10 forward who scored 31 goals and 74 points in 23 games with Maple Grove High this year and is committed to Michigan Tech for next season.
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