LAS VEGAS — The 2024 NHL draft concluded on Saturday, giving Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek a handful of new names to develop as the team continues its rebuild.
After selecting Beckett Sennecke and Stian Solberg in the first round, Verbeek added depth to his prospect pipeline in the proceeding rounds, capping off a strong draft weekend for the Orange County club.
Round 2, No. 35 overall: Lucas Petterson, C
Hailing from Sweden, Lucas Petterson split time between the J20 Nationell and Swedish Hockey League this past campaign. However, the forward only suited up in five SHL games with MoDo Hockey and didn’t see the ice much. With the J20 squad, he tallied 57 points on 27 goals and 30 assists in 44 games. He was the first Swede picked in the 2024 draft.
Just like many other Swedish players who spend their amateur years on a larger ice surface, Petterson is a naturally strong skater. His ability to reach the offensive zone with ease allows him to set up his teammates, often dishing impressive passes for assists. At 6-foot and 173 pounds, he’s a distinguished forechecker and puck-chaser, but he’ll want to keep developing his frame before making the jump to the United States.
Petterson has plenty of upside, with skills ranging from puck control, offensive-zone playmaking and intelligent shot-taking. He will aim to put on some strength and step up as a leader when he returns to his native country.
Round 3, No. 66 overall: Maxim Massé, RW
Maxim Massé was one of the more highly touted players entering the draft who hailed from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. Listed as a right winger, Massé tallied 75 points with 36 goals and 39 assists with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in 2023-24, earning him the Mike Bossy trophy.
At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Massé uses his size to enrich his offensive skill set. He’s versatile and polished when controlling the puck, but his lack of fluid skating brings his game down. But even with this liability, he’s an offensive weapon with a beautiful slapshot that will surely catch the eyes of Ducks brass in the coming years.
Round 3, No. 68 overall: Ethan Procyszyn, C
Ethan Procyszyn doubled his point total from the 2022-23 season to 2023-24 while playing with the Ontario Hockey League’s North Bay Battalion, notching 36 this past season.
A native of Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Procyszyn is tough and physical, especially for a forward. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, he’ll make any hit necessary to free up the puck. He’s a grinder, making the most of his ice time even when not possessing the puck by setting goalie screens and hustling on every play. He’s also an impressive passer, setting up his teammates by using his high hockey IQ to stay a step ahead of the puck.
Procyszyn is not an amazing skater, though. He also massively prefers to shoot the puck from close range, which, combined with the lackluster skating, limits his offensive ceiling.
Round 3, No. 79 overall: Tarin Smith, D
Tarin Smith was Anaheim’s second blueliner chosen in the draft, following Solberg. Smith spent the 2023-24 campaign with the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips, logging 44 points as a solid two-way defenseman. He’ll reunite with Ducks blueliner Olen Zellweger, whom he briefly played with in Everett.
Smith skates nicely at 6-foot-2 and 187 pounds. He’s a thoughtful teammate, often setting his linemates up for offensive zone chances and thinking ahead creatively. While he’s physically sound, he’ll need to improve his awareness in the defensive zone, which will come with utilizing his skating skills accordingly.
Round 4, No. 100 overall: Alexandre Blais, C
Alexandre Blais is coming off an 84-point season (24 goals, 60 assists) with the QMJHL’s Rimouski Océanic. He is a quick-footed, 5-foot-10, 152-pound pass-first forward with high value for a later-round pick.
Blais’ smaller frame is his main concern. His strong passing prowess offers him an opportunity to overcome his size, and was a large reason why he was drafted, but bulking up will be a necessity nonetheless. With that in mind, he is still a very dangerous playmaker.
Round 6, No. 182 overall: Austin Burnevik, RW
Given his success as a goal-scoring machine in the 2023-24 United States Hockey League season, picking Austin Burnevik in the sixth round made too much sense for the Ducks. With the Madison Capitols this past year, he hit the 40-goal mark with 71 total points.
At 19 years old, Burnevik was a second-year draft candidate after going unpicked last year, and thus likely has less room to develop his game. He was likely limited this year and last because of his lack of skill without the puck. When he possesses the biscuit, he displays a pretty shot; without it, his skating is flawed and his defense needs improvement, even though he’s 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds.
Burnevik will suit up for St. Cloud State University next season.
Round 7, No. 214 overall: Darels Uljanskis, D
Anaheim’s final draftee is a skilled blueliner with upside. Darels Uljanskis, a Latvian native, registered 29 points with AIK J20 of Sweden this past year.
Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 192 pounds, Uljanskis is a strong playmaker from the blue line, but could use development in every other area of the ice. While he possesses the skill set to have a chance at making the NHL, he’s not elite in any one category. He has strong two-way potential with his frame but will need to work on setting up his linemates and improving defensively.