Some of the top U.S. players today have been scratched, like Noah Hanifin and Sonny Milano, but it's great to see Boeser getting a good look in a prime offensive position.
It seems like he has made a solid impression and will have every opportunity to be a part of the American World Junior squad in Helsinki this Christmas.
U-S Junior hockey team gm Jim Johannson tells me that he is very impressed with #Canucks #1 draft pick Brock Boeser at camp this week.
Boeser's name hadn't been in the mix for the Canucks much at all leading up to the draft. On NHL.com, he was ranked as the 27th-best North American skater, so it was a bit of a surprise to see the Canucks pick him 23rd.
Nucks Misconduct has the summary of Boeser's rankings going into the draft:
The Hockey News: 14
hockeyprospect.com: 18
Future Considerations: 26
Bob McKenzie: 26
NHL Central Scouting: 27
ISS: 35
Boeser's 6'1" and 191 pounds, born and raised in Burnsville, Minnesota—a southern suburb of Minneapolis.
Here in Canada, we don't see or hear about USHL players nearly as much as the top Canadian draft prospects in the CHL, but Boeser has a solid pedigree.
He played high school hockey in his hometown of Burnsville before joining the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL for eight games in the 2013-14 season.
Boeser has been put in leadership roles throughout his career. He wore the "A" in 2013-14 at Burnsville High and last season with Waterloo of the USHL, and was captain of the U.S. Under-18 team that won the bronze medal at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka tournament. His six goals in that tournament also tied Canada's Lawson Crouse for the goal-scoring lead.
If you're like me and think that Waterloo is located in Southern Ontario—if not in Britain—you'll be interested to know that Boeser's Waterloo Black Hawks play in a town of about 70,000 in Iowa—a little smaller than Prince George. Waterloo was also the jumping-off point for NHLers Joe Pavelski, Jason Blake, Craig Smith and former Canuck Andrew Alberts—also a Minnesota boy.
In his rookie season in Waterloo, Boeser finished third overall in USHL scoring with 68 points in 57 games. His 35 goals tied him for tops in the league.
Ryan Kennedy made this assesment of Boeser earlier this week over at The Hockey News:
As I’ve been telling anyone who listens, scoring in the USHL is tough and Boeser was one of the best with Waterloo. Thanks to his hard shot, Sweden learned that the hard way in Lake Placid as the UND recruit threw up a hat trick in a 10-4 devastation of the Tre Kroner. Drafted 23rd overall by Vancouver in 2015.
Here's a look at some of Boeser's top moments from his season in Waterloo:
Boeser's committed next season to the University of North Dakota, frequent participants in the NCAA's Frozen Four tournament over the years. The program will be undergoing a shift this year, however, as longtime coach Dave Hakstol has left to become the new coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. He has been replaced by Brad Berry, a North Dakota alumnus himself who has served as Hakstol's assistant for the past three seasons.
Canuck content: Berry also spent a couple of years as an assistant coach of the Manitoba Moose from 2006-08, working under Scott Arniel.
A dynamic offensive winger and natural goal scorer. Has great instincts and is able to quickly get into position for premium scoring chances; possesses an accurate release on his shot which he can get off in the blink of an eye. He always knows where his linemates are, and is a great passer; that being said, his individual puck possession play is incredible and sets him apart as an offensive player. He will need to work on defensive zone coverage and a slew of small details such as board battles, but Brock Boeser has a ton of elite-level scoring potential due to the way he can read, make, and finish plays. (Curtis Joe, EP 2014)
Some scouts are seeing quite a bit of Patrick Sharp in Mr. Boeser. He skates well and has a complete set of goal-scorer's tools. Doesn't give up his own end, and transitions to offense in such a quick and concrete way that he can catch the opposition off-guard. [EliteProspects 2015]
After drafting right wing Jake Virtanen sixth overall in 2014, it was a surprise to see the Canucks pick another right winger in the first round this year but so far, Boeser looks like he's ticking all the right boxes as a sniper with an NHL future. It'll be exciting to watch his development.
Johansson : "Brock is as advertised, he's scoring, productive, on the #1 line, very promising player." #Canucks
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