Canucks Scouting Staff 'Really Excited' About 2023 NHL Draft Class

Over the last week the Canucks scouting staff has seen their hard work pay off, and the draftees have had their childhood dreams come true. The group is pleased with their picks, that includes four defencemen (three right-side, one left-side), two wingers, and a centre.

Assistant General Manager Derek Clancey noted they were able to get many players they wanted and some value picks.

"I think we did extremely well," Clancey said. "We addressed a lot of areas our team wanted to address, we got some guys in the draft later, that we thought were better players than they were drafted. We're really excited about the group of players we received today, we look forward to them really helping us in the future."

The Canucks had near back-to-back picks in rounds three and four, 75th and 89th overall in round three, and 105, 107, and 119th overall in round four. The pace picks up after the first round, but the team mostly stuck to the list agreed upon heading into the draft.

"We could have got maybe another centre in there, which would have been great, adding more guys in that position," Clancey said, adding, "You want to get the best players. If the centreman is not there that you'd like to get, then you have to go with the next guy up."

To build a championship team, Vancouver's scouting staff believes the players they draft have to be talented and have strong character. First-rounder Tom Willander is a great skater, a relentless competitor, and is mature beyond his years. Amateur Scouting Director Todd Harvey said the team has seen Willander's game grow over the last year and were thrilled he was available for their 11th pick.

"We think very, very highly of him, and we like everything about him - the compete, the character as a person, is phenomenal. I think he's a really intriguing person to start with and he's going to be a heck of a player for us," Harvey said.

The other two right-shot defencemen include Hunter Brzustewicz and Vancouver's own Aiden Celebrini. Harvey feels Brzustewicz has second-round value because of his well-rounded, poised play, and his offensive mindset. He touted Celebrini as a smart player who moves the puck well and has a strong work ethic to reach his potential.

On the left side of defence, Kamloops native Sawyer Mynio, has a strong hockey sense and ability to read the play. It was his success on the penalty kill with the WHL champions Seattle Thunderbirds that really stood out. The Thunderbirds' roster was deep last season and Harvey can see Mynio contributing more offensively at the next level.

"I actually think there's a lot more growth with his offense and I think he'll get more of an opportunity next year to prove that," he said.

Left wingers Ty Mueller and Vilmer Alriksson were chosen in succession in the fourth round. Both are smart and good skaters. Mueller has played at the wing in his NCAA career, but prior to that he was a centre and the scouting group has hopes of him filling a third line centre spot. For 6-foot-6, 214-pound Alriksson, a little weight room work will help him fill out.

"We think he can really push, get in the weight room, get a lot stronger. He could be a real big beast out there when it's all said and done," Harvey said.

Centreman Matthew Perkins brings great speed and skating ability and is a smart player with room to grow as he heads to University of Minnesota-Duluth for the upcoming season.

"He was great on the penalty kill this year. The scouts really pushed for him, they like what he brings."

The draftees have a quick turnaround and will get to work at development camp at the University of British Columbia July 1-7.