Ducks go off the board, take Sennecke 3rd overall

The Anaheim Ducks drafted Canadian forward Beckett Sennecke with the third overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.

Beckett Sennecke

Sennecke was clearly stunned to hear his name called so early.

"I was just super shocked. I think, obviously, my face kinda said that all," he said. "That was definitely an unexpected moment."

"I had a couple of meetings yesterday and today, and Anaheim wasn't one of them," he added, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.

Propelled by a dominant second half to his season, Sennecke clambered up draft boards everywhere, rising two spots between NHL Central Scouting's midterm and final rankings. He registered 17 goals and 42 points over his last 31 regular-season games with the Oshawa Generals and carried that momentum into the playoffs, where he chipped in with 22 points in 16 contests.

Though he got hurt in the Eastern Conference Finals, Sennecke said he believes his strong postseason showing was behind his stunning rise.

"I think it was definitely my playoff performance," he said. "I kinda peaked at the right time there."

Sennecke has been lauded for his strong skating ability, which is uncharacteristic for his large stature, and he's also known for his creativity as a puck-handler.

What they're saying

"He sees the ice well and is creative as a passer, although not to the level of his (one-on-one) abilities," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote in May. "There have been times when I've questioned his compete and consistency, but he answered those questions as the season continued. ... He looks like a player who can be a difference-maker at the next level."

Pronman also compared him to Winnipeg Jets sniper Kyle Connor.

"(Sennecke) offers good size, strength, and skills with his hockey sense in generating quality scoring opportunities. ... Sennecke is an all-around 200-foot player with a positive work ethic at both ends of the ice," NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale wrote in June.