Post by St. Louis Blues on Sept 19, 2023 19:20:48 GMT -6
2023 St-Louis Blues Draft
Let's talk about the 2023 PFHL Draft. The Blues made a few moves in this year draft. With 6 first round picks in this year draft, it's easy to say that the Blues had a great draft. Without a doubt the Blues had the best PFHL draft in 2023. There is no debate here. GM Charles-A. Poulin really wanted to focus on this year's draft. The prospect pool is probably the best since the McDavid draft back in 2015.
" It was really important for us to boost our prospect pool with this year draft. We felt like the amount of great young players with excellent potential in this year was out of this world. We even decided to move our 2024 first round pick to add more talent this year. That's how much we were into this draft. Cause let's all agree here: we gonna be at the bottom of the standing. "
- Our draft started with the 2th overall selecting Adam Fantilli (F). Fantilli is a highly skilled forward which would have been selected first overall in any other drafts with no Connor Bedard available. From his size, speed, and playmaking ability to his hockey IQ, puckhandling, and accurate shot, he has all the tools to be a massive difference-maker in the NHL one day. He should join the PFHL Blues next season where he will be on the top line. Adam Fantilli is projected to be a 1C franchise forward for years to come. He is often compared to Kyle Connor/Jack Eichel in terms of potential.
- With the 9th overall pick, the players selected one of the most talented prospect in this year draft, Zach Benson (F). He is on the smaller side of things but he's probably the most talented forward in this year's draft when talking about skills alone. He was rated in the top 5 prospects but with his 5ft10 and smaller size frame he was snub by a few teams. In 60 games played in the WHL he totalled 36 goals and 62 assists for 98 points. Most of the PFHL scouts agrees that he would have been selected 1st overall in the last 3 draft. A line with Fantilli and Benson on his side should be insane ! Benson has the floor of a Zach Hyman and the ceiling of a Mitch Marner. No jokes !
- Tom Willander (D) was added with the 15th overall pick. Let's be honest, the D prospects in the 2023 PFHL draft weren't on the same potential level when you compared them with the F prospects. With that being said, Willander was 3th on our defense board. He is a great two way Dman with underated offensive skills. Tom was extremely productive at the J20 level for Rögle BK, he finished the regular season with 25 points in 39 games and his impressive play has continued into the World U18 Championship with the Swedish Team. He can be a major factor at even strength, while seeing time on the power play and penalty kill. He needs some time to develop, but he can definitely reach his potential given the upside he has.
- After selecting Adam Fantilli, the Blues selected his teamate Gavin Brindley (F) with the 27th overall pick. Both teamates are shifty and dynamic puck carriers. Listed at 5ft9 and 158 lbs, Brindley is really small but he still has time to add weight. What Brindley lacks in size, he makes up for with every other possible facet of his game. From puck battles to physical play, from his incredible compete level to an excellent skating package. He is incredibly agile with and without the puck, and has the speed to really take advantage of his opponents weaknesses both off the rush and while forechecking. He will be back with the University of Michigan next season. He's a long term project but a great one to have in our squad.
- With the 28th overall pick the Blues selected Otto Stenberg (F). The Swedish born player is a well rounded player with an high motor. Scouts praised his vision and playmaking abilities. Born leader, he was named the captain of the U18 Swedish team where he destroyed the competition with 17G 15P in 19 games. He will be playing with the Frölunda HC next season. Great player !
- Riley Heidt (F) was our last selection in the 1st round. With the 30th pick, the Blues added an highly skilled forward. He should devellop a middle 6 forward. Here's one of our scout about Heidt.
Let's talk about the 2023 PFHL Draft. The Blues made a few moves in this year draft. With 6 first round picks in this year draft, it's easy to say that the Blues had a great draft. Without a doubt the Blues had the best PFHL draft in 2023. There is no debate here. GM Charles-A. Poulin really wanted to focus on this year's draft. The prospect pool is probably the best since the McDavid draft back in 2015.
" It was really important for us to boost our prospect pool with this year draft. We felt like the amount of great young players with excellent potential in this year was out of this world. We even decided to move our 2024 first round pick to add more talent this year. That's how much we were into this draft. Cause let's all agree here: we gonna be at the bottom of the standing. "
- Our draft started with the 2th overall selecting Adam Fantilli (F). Fantilli is a highly skilled forward which would have been selected first overall in any other drafts with no Connor Bedard available. From his size, speed, and playmaking ability to his hockey IQ, puckhandling, and accurate shot, he has all the tools to be a massive difference-maker in the NHL one day. He should join the PFHL Blues next season where he will be on the top line. Adam Fantilli is projected to be a 1C franchise forward for years to come. He is often compared to Kyle Connor/Jack Eichel in terms of potential.
- With the 9th overall pick, the players selected one of the most talented prospect in this year draft, Zach Benson (F). He is on the smaller side of things but he's probably the most talented forward in this year's draft when talking about skills alone. He was rated in the top 5 prospects but with his 5ft10 and smaller size frame he was snub by a few teams. In 60 games played in the WHL he totalled 36 goals and 62 assists for 98 points. Most of the PFHL scouts agrees that he would have been selected 1st overall in the last 3 draft. A line with Fantilli and Benson on his side should be insane ! Benson has the floor of a Zach Hyman and the ceiling of a Mitch Marner. No jokes !
- Tom Willander (D) was added with the 15th overall pick. Let's be honest, the D prospects in the 2023 PFHL draft weren't on the same potential level when you compared them with the F prospects. With that being said, Willander was 3th on our defense board. He is a great two way Dman with underated offensive skills. Tom was extremely productive at the J20 level for Rögle BK, he finished the regular season with 25 points in 39 games and his impressive play has continued into the World U18 Championship with the Swedish Team. He can be a major factor at even strength, while seeing time on the power play and penalty kill. He needs some time to develop, but he can definitely reach his potential given the upside he has.
- After selecting Adam Fantilli, the Blues selected his teamate Gavin Brindley (F) with the 27th overall pick. Both teamates are shifty and dynamic puck carriers. Listed at 5ft9 and 158 lbs, Brindley is really small but he still has time to add weight. What Brindley lacks in size, he makes up for with every other possible facet of his game. From puck battles to physical play, from his incredible compete level to an excellent skating package. He is incredibly agile with and without the puck, and has the speed to really take advantage of his opponents weaknesses both off the rush and while forechecking. He will be back with the University of Michigan next season. He's a long term project but a great one to have in our squad.
- With the 28th overall pick the Blues selected Otto Stenberg (F). The Swedish born player is a well rounded player with an high motor. Scouts praised his vision and playmaking abilities. Born leader, he was named the captain of the U18 Swedish team where he destroyed the competition with 17G 15P in 19 games. He will be playing with the Frölunda HC next season. Great player !
- Riley Heidt (F) was our last selection in the 1st round. With the 30th pick, the Blues added an highly skilled forward. He should devellop a middle 6 forward. Here's one of our scout about Heidt.
“Riley Heidt is one of the more premier offensive play drivers in this class. He loves to play in the offensive zone with the puck on his stick. When given time and space with the puck, Heidt is simply a killer. He has a lethal shot, that personally I think gets overlooked because of his great play making ability.”
The other 2 notable prospects drafted by the Blues are Theo Lindstein (D) and Trey Augustine (G).
Goaltenders are long term projects but we felt like Trey Augustine was the best goaltender available in the 2023 PFHL draft. He is committed to Michigan State University in the NCAA. Technically sound and composed goaltender who is fluid in his movements. Will need to improve his tracking abilities but has the tools to become a quality NHL netminder.
Theo Lindstein adds another talented Swedish prospect. He was supposed to be drafted in the first round but with the number of highly talented forward he fell on our lap at 37th. His high hockey IQ makes him a great off-puck player, allowing him to find open ice in the offensive zone and anticipate plays well in his own end. He will be playing with Brynäs IF in the SHL. It was a no brainer for us !
Goaltenders are long term projects but we felt like Trey Augustine was the best goaltender available in the 2023 PFHL draft. He is committed to Michigan State University in the NCAA. Technically sound and composed goaltender who is fluid in his movements. Will need to improve his tracking abilities but has the tools to become a quality NHL netminder.
Theo Lindstein adds another talented Swedish prospect. He was supposed to be drafted in the first round but with the number of highly talented forward he fell on our lap at 37th. His high hockey IQ makes him a great off-puck player, allowing him to find open ice in the offensive zone and anticipate plays well in his own end. He will be playing with Brynäs IF in the SHL. It was a no brainer for us !
Other drafted players:
- Aram Minnetian (D) 102th overall
- Sawyer Mynio (D) 136th overall
- Emmitt Finnie (F) 200th overall
- Jack Harvey (F) 202th overall
- Rudy Guimond (G) 205th overall