Wild draft Marco Rossi 9th overall

The Minnesota Wild selected forward Marco Rossi with the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Marco Rossi

Position: Center
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 179 lbs
Age: 19
Club: Ottawa 67's (OHL)
Nationality: Austrian

(Stats source: EliteProspects.com)

Rossi becomes the third-ever player of Austrian heritage to be selected in the first round, joining Thomas Vanek (No. 5 in 2003) and Michael Grabner (No. 14 in 2006).

He led the entire CHL in points and assists in 2019-20, becoming only the second European import to win the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL's most outstanding player.

Rossi's breakout campaign wasn't entirely unforeseen, as he ranked second among OHL rookies with 29 goals and 65 points in 2018-19.

NHL Central Scouting pegged him sixth among North American skaters on its final rankings ahead of the draft.

What they're saying

"While Rossi is undersized, he's a very competitive player," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote. "He drives the net consistently, he can kill penalties very well, and he can be used in tough defensive situations. His great skill and production are very appealing ... He projects to be a top-line NHL forward because of how smart, skilled, and competitive he is."

"He's relentless, his competitiveness is through the roof, he has tremendous hockey sense, good skills, and a good shot," 67's head coach Andre Tourigny told Pronman.

"Highly competitive, super smart, easily coached, and a strong lower half that should make up for perceived size issues," Sportsnet's Sam Cosentino wrote in June.

Highlights