2022 NHL Entry Draft Day 2 Recap

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Wild got stronger up the middle, as well as continued to plump its overall offensive prospect pool in Day 2 of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft at Belle Centre in Montreal.
"I think, if you look at our prospects now, we have a lot of defensemen," general manager Bill Guerin said. "It just so happened that it kinda fell that we got some forwards this year. And I think that's really good. We were really happy with yesterday, very happy with today and excited to have these young men in the mix."
Overall Minnesota added four forwards and two defenseman in their final six picks.

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"It was certainly best available or in the mix and we've hit on some defensemen the past couple of years, too, so that was in consideration," Wild director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett said. "Coincidentally some players with some skill, with some size, again, guys that compete, that can score, that get to the net. We feel like we hit on a number of facets here."
With their first selection in the second round (47th overall) the Minnesota took centerman Hunter Haight.
The 5-foot-10, 174-pound native of Strathbury, Ontario, had 22 goals and 41 points through 53 games with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League last season. Haight was one of many players who had their 2020-21 OHL season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Yeah, it was a lot of time in the basement," Haight said of the missed year. "I have a little gym set up there. It was a lot of being on Zoom calls for school and then doing what I can to shoot pucks.
"I think it was an adjustment period for me. It was for everyone coming into the OHL. We all missed a season."
Haight has been touted for his puck handling abilities, with a knack for creativity, and for his 200-foot game. Brackett also complimented his skating power with assets to be a top power play forward and first line center.
The Wild selected left wing Rieger Lorenz in the second round with the 56th overall selection. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound native of Calgary, Alberta spent the 2021-22 season with Okotoks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) where he ranked fifth the league and second amongst league rookies in scoring with 38 goals and 85 points in 60 games. The left-shot winger was not present at the draft because he's enrolled at the University of Denver where he will play next fall.
"He does really good board work with his ability to spin off checks and get to the net," Brackett said. "More than halfway through the year he was a point and a half per game in a strong league. We liked the path. We like the development curve. Denver does a great job with their players and obviously with David Carle coaching there and his brother is a part time scout with us so that was a nice connection."
Rounding out the group of forwards were Michael Milne (No. 89) and Servac Petrovsky (No. 185) before Brackett and co. set their sights on defenseman, selecting Ryan Healey (No. 121) and David Spacek (No. 153).
Healey, who has been known to quarterback the power play, registered 21 points (three goals, 18 assists) in 59 games with Sioux Falls in the United States Hockey League last season. The future Harvard right-shot blue liner is one of the players Brackett is most familiar with.
"Ryan lives one town over from where we are [in Massachusetts]," said Brackett. "My kids play in the same youth program, so there is a lot of history there. He's a terrific puck mover. He's really, really agile. Great edgework. The power play is his bread and butter. Going to Harvard with a great opportunity in front of him to develop that offensive side."
As the week closed on another draft class, Brackett and brass are satisfied with what they accomplished (with most media outlets ranking them in the A-A+ grade category to boot).
"I think the biggest reward is that it's a group effort for us and it's reflected in we hit almost every league: SHL, KHL, USHL, the three CHL leagues. So, that's an indication that we have everybody pulling on the same rope and doing their job and communicating well," said Brackett. "So it's a real tip of the hat to the group. It's a group effort. It can't be one or two. It's gotta be everybody doing it. It's really reflected in the results today."