Maple Leafs select Jeremy Bracco with 61st overall pick

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The Toronto Maple Leafs selected U.S. National Development Program winger Jeremy Bracco with the 61st overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

2014-15 Stats

Overview

Slight, shifty, and exploding with mesmerizing top-end skill, Bracco is the Johnny Gaudreau of the 2015 draft. He darts around the ice at break-neck speed, controls the puck with incredible hands, and is an absolute terror in the offensive zone.

He has a strong work ethic and competes very hard, but can get pushed around by competent defenders.

Bracco scored 47 goals and 139 points in 96 games across all competitions last season for the U.S. National U18 Team. He was an elite facilitator with the program, but also killed penalties and was adept in creating offensive scoring chances down a man.

Bracco spurned Harvard with an intention to attend Gaudreau's alma mater, Boston College, next season. There, he will see a significant step up in competition against bigger, stronger collegiate athletes.

What the scouts are saying

ESPN's Corey Pronman ranked Bracco No. 16 on his top 100 prospects list.

Bracco is an exciting - albeit very small - winger who can take over a game. He's a high-end skater with great agility, acceleration and ability to push the pace on exits and entries. When you combine his skating with his very high skill level, he's a nightmare for defenders to check. He's very coordinated, and draws your attention with the way he creates offense out of nothing. Scouts refer to him as an "assist machine" due to his talent level and his very creative playmaking style.

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