Canucks select Brock Boeser with the 23rd pick in NHL Draft

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The Vancouver Canucks have selected forward Brock Boeser with the 23rd pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

2014-15 Stats

Overview

Boeser is as close to a pure, natural goal scorer as any player in this year's draft.

He recorded 35 goals in 57 games for a share of the USHL lead, and possesses high-level offensive skills. Boeser also captained the U.S. team to a bronze medal at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial, ranking first in goals (six) and second in points (eight).

On a personal note, Boeser said his father, Duane, has had the most influence on his hockey career: "He was in a major car accident and has Parkinson’s disease. I play to make my dad proud."

Related: USHL rising, fortifying bedrock of USA Hockey

The knock on Boeser is his defensive zone coverage and his compete level along the boards, but teams looking for a scorer will certainly give him a look.

What the scouts are saying

NHL Central Scouting’s David Gregory:

A strong skating forward who is very effective at getting to open space. He possesses a hard, accurate shot and has the ability to create opportunities off the rush.

Brendan Ross, Dobber Hockey

Boeser is an opportunistic shooter who doesn’t need much time to unleash a shot with pin-point accuracy. He owns natural goal scoring instincts and finds the soft spots on the ice with ease. Boeser has proved to be very dangerous off the rush as he attacks wide with good top-end speed before snapping pucks home on the cut to the net. While not a true playmaker, Boeser displays noteworthy passing skills. He isn’t a high-energy attacker and isn’t always engaged defensively but he’s extremely dangerous on the offensive side of the red line.

Highlights