Hurricanes select Vasiliy Ponomarev with 53rd pick

The Carolina Hurricanes drafted forward Vasiliy Ponomarev with the 53rd pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Vasiliy Ponomarev

Position: Center
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 176 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Shawinigan Cataractes
Nationality: Russian

(Stats source: EliteProspects.com)

Ponomaryov has produced at multiple levels and tournaments over the past few years. Most recently, he helped guide Russia to a tournament victory at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording six points in five games.

He only has one season under his belt on North American ice, but his transition during the 2019-20 QMJHL season was seamless. He didn't rack up the gaudy numbers that some other players in the league do, but he got off to a hot start and cooled down a bit toward the end of the season.

Prior to coming overseas, Ponomaryov excelled in the Russian junior league (MHL) where he amassed nine goals and 20 assists in 37 games.

What they're saying

"I think he's one of the most talented players in the draft. There were about 10 moments I can recall from watching him this past season where he made truly elite plays, plays that screamed top-six caliber NHL forward," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman. "He has high-end skill and tremendous ability to improvise with his playmaking and ability to find his teammates."

"He works his butt off and he's got a lot of skill," an NHL scout told Pronman. "It's hard to look past the 49 points and just OK skating for a high pick, but he's a good player."

Highlights