Evan Bouchard – Right Defenseman – 6’2 181lbs – London Knights in the OHL – 5gp 1g 5a 6p
Bouchard enters this year as a threat to the top-5. The London Knights latest first round product has started the season extremely well in an increased role with Mete (Habs) and Juolevi (Canucks) in pre-season. This Knights squad is definitely a cut below their usual standard, but it is helping showcase how good Bouchard is. He has been a force on the Power Play as the new QB. He has 4 assists and has been involved in every PP goal the Knights have had. He’s a very smart puck mover. One that knows how to move the puck without being too “busy.…
He’s a former U17 Tournament All-Star and was the best defenseman for Team Canada on the Gold Medal squad. Showing some dynamic offensive ability.
Last season he started the year as the bottom pairing anchor. He was actually pretty mediocre to start the season. But at the 20 game mark he changed. He forced his way up the depth chart and began taking minutes away from some veteran players. Deservedly so. He ended the year with 11 goals and 44 points in just 68 games. He then ended the year with a very strong playoff performance where he was arguably the Knights best defenseman.
Unlike his closest rival in this draft from the OHL Ryan Merkley, Bouchard has the size to back up his offensive game. He has a lanky frame that scouts like and will expect him to build on. He’s not the same level of pure skater and rusher as Merkley, but he does everything else slightly better. Man to man coverage, defensive reads and in tight decision making. He’s a calmer player though less dynamic.
At his best Bouchard projects as an offensive defenseman that can do well in his own zone. A player who can QB a Power Play while being responsible in his own end when the time comes. A guy who might not get as many end to end rushes as other pure offensive defenders, but can be the player who starts the breakout and help finish it off. He’s one to watch as the Knights receive more players back in terms of ice-time as he is playing around 30 minutes a game now.
NHL Comparable : Mark Giordano