Canucks Prospects Update: 10.26.18

The hockey season is well underway across the world and Canucks prospects have already been making a noticeable impact, particularly south of the border in the United States.
Obviously, many people are going to be keeping close tabs on the top pick from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft in Quinn Hughes, but some of the other lesser known players have made an impact quickly.
Represented by two forwards, two defencemen, and one goalie, there is plenty to dissect over the last few weeks since we last took a look at the prospects playing in the US.

D Quinn Hughes (University of Michigan - NCAA)

3 GP - 1G - 2A - 3 PTS
The 2018 7th overall pick for the Canucks has started to get his feet under him after being held pointless in Michigan's first game of the season.
Although he was held off the scoresheet in that season opener against the University of Vermont, Hughes displayed the skills that made him the Canucks this past June. He was setting up his teammates for prime chances and with a little luck, they would've buried it.
The Wolverines followed up that October 9th contest against Vermont with two exhibition games over the following week. In the October 10th game against the University of Waterloo, Hughes picked up a power-play assist on fellow Canucks prospect William Lockwood's goal. Six days later, Michigan took on the US National Development Team, which features Quinn's younger brother Jack.
In a fantastic moment, Quinn lined up to take the opening faceoff against his brother Jack. Unfortunately, for Michigan, the USNDTP were able to walk away with a 6-3 win on that day.
With those two exhibition games in the rear-view mirror, the Wolverines were able to settle into the regular NCAA schedule that saw them take on the University of Western Michigan this past Friday and Saturday night. Michigan took the first game by a score of 6-5, and Western Michigan answered back with a 5-4 win the following night.
Hughes picked up one assist in the first game and then followed it up with one goal and one assist performance in the rematch.
If Hughes continues to do what he has been doing, the points will continue to follow.

F William Lockwood (University of Michigan - NCAA)

3 GP - 2G - 0A - 2 PTS
William Lockwood made his presence known quickly, scoring the first goal of the season for Michigan in the 5-2 loss to Vermont. Playing in the middle of the penalty kill box, he was able to find a gap in the coverage and snapped it past the goaltender.
Lockwood has been noticeable throughout all of Michigan's game this season showcasing his speed and tenacity whenever the puck is in the offensive zone. He carries that relentless play into the defensive zone, hounding his opponents and then quickly transitioning the puck out when he obtains possession.
The 2016 3rd round pick has played every game on the right side of the first line and is a big part of the first power-play unit with Hughes.
Obviously, he is coming back from shoulder surgery this past summer, so there are still a ways to go before we can fully know what to expect from Lockwood this season but the early returns have been very encouraging.
The University of Michigan hosts St Lawrence for two games this upcoming weekend.

D Jack Rathbone (Harvard - NCAA)

0 GP - 0G - 0A - 0 PTS
Although Rathbone has zero regular season games played thus far, he did suit up for his first game with Harvard in an exhibition game against the US National Development Program this past weekend.
Playing just over fourteen minutes, Rathbone finished the game with a -1 rating, three shots on goal, and two penalty minutes.
The 2017 4th round pick was deployed on the left side of the second pairing with John Marion on the other side and saw time on the second power-play unit as well.
Harvard takes on Dartmouth on Saturday to open up their NCAA regular season.

F Tyler Madden (Northeastern - NCAA)

3 GP - 3G - 1A - 4 PTS
The first forward selected by the Canucks at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Tyler Madden has had a fantastic start to his NCAA career.
Potting three goals and one assist in three games, Madden was the first Northeastern rookie to score a goal in three straight games since Scott Selig did so in 2000.
Madden has slid right into the first line centre role for the Huskies, that was vacated by fellow Canucks prospect Adam Gaudette, and has clearly rewarded the coaching staff with his production. Madden is also a regular on the first power play unit and has scored two of his three goals with the man advantage.
The speedy centre may not keep up the point-per-game pace for the entire season but is taking advantage of the opportunity that has been presented to him so far this season.
Northeastern has a tough schedule coming up over the next couple weeks, as they face UMass Lowell, and St Cloud State this upcoming weekend, and then Boston University for two games for the following weekend.

G Matthew Thiessen (Dubuque - USHL)

7 GP - 4-1-1, 2.54 GAA and 0.907 SV%
Last but not least is goaltender Matthew Thiessen.
Making the transition from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League to the United States Hockey League has gone pretty well for the 2018 7th round pick. Thiessen has helped Dubuque to a 4-2-1-1 record out of the gate and currently sit 3rdin the USHL Eastern Conference.
Thiessen sits first in minutes played among USHL goaltenders and ninth in goals-against average. The Canucks prospect appears to be getting more comfortable with each game played. His ability to control rebounds and limiting second and third chances have been noticeably better since the start of the season.
The Fighting Saints have a busy weekend coming up with an October 26th matchup against Youngstown before heading to Plymouth Michigan to take on the aforementioned USNDTP on October 27th and 28th.