Portland Winterhawks/Matthew Wolfe

Winterhawks up for selection at the 2020 NHL Draft

 

In case you haven’t heard yet, the 2020 NHL Entry Draft’s first round is set to take place on Tuesday, October 06, 2020. Just days away, there are a number of Winterhawks hoping their name gets called.

Seth Jarvis

At this point, you are probably well aware that forward Seth Jarvis is projected to go in the first round. If you were unaware, this is your reminder to keep your ears open mid-first round to find out which team is going to get this breakout player. He started the season on the draft radar and rapidly gained traction among most scouts as the season progressed. After a good start to the season, he seemed to somehow find another level to his game in December. Normally a very even-tempered player, there are moments when he gets some bite to his play. During what turned out to be the last full month of the season, Jarvis seemed to already be in playoff mode while opponents were struggling to catch up. Look for him to continue this trajectory once the season ’20-’21 season begins.

Cross Hanas

If you want to talk about a player who has had a lot to talk about, Cross Hanas is the player for you to watch out for. I’ve seen him projected to go both as early as mid-second round and as late as late-fifth round. As much as Cross will not be the star skater for any team he is on, he will also be the one that subtly causes plays to happen. With a knack for finding teammates with space, Hanas could be just what some NHL teams are looking

After opening the season scoring for Portland on September 21st, Cross added his second of the night just over six minutes later. It was a lacrosse-style goal (his first of two this past season) that proved to be the game-winner. That creative level of play is what Portland fans have seen from Hanas time and time again. Once he finds consistency in his game, he will be an even greater asset to whichever team selects him.

Simon Knak

Simon Knak is one player who I have seen fall out of many conversations since the season ended. Despite this, he has had a great showing for the Swiss U20 team, where he stood out as a 17-year-old during the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championships. He has also served as captain for the Swiss U18 team and is currently on the roster for HC Davos until the WHL is allowed to return.

There is a reason the Winterhawks decided not to release either of their current import players. It simply would not have been worth it. Simon has proven to be a consistent player who works and finds plays, even when in pressure situations.

Jonas Brøndberg

Brøndberg is a calming presence who sees the ice well and makes the smart plays. At 6-foot-4, he also has the size that is apparent in the physical style of his play. He has shown that he is willing to take a shot from the blue line and contribute offensively. The Danish defenseman competed in the 2020 IIHF World Juniors with team Denmark and ended the WHL season leading rookie defensemen in goals. We can expect his name to be called sometime later in day two of the draft.

Dante Giannuzzi

Dante is only eligible for this year’s draft by 12 days and has not seen an abundance of ice time over the last season, but I think he could be a dark horse for some team in a late-round. He is an active goaltender who is perfectly willing to contribute offensively just as much as he is willing to be a brick wall in front of the net. He never gives up on the puck, making saves that you expect from veteran goaltenders. While his sample size in the WHL is limited, there is no doubt he has perked interest from scouts after posting a .931 over 9 appearances.

Portland fans had initial concern while Joel Hofer was called away for World Juniors with Team Canada, but those concerns were quickly put to bed while Giannuzzi, as well as Isaiah DiLaura, held down the fort in Portland. Six consecutive wins in six consecutive starts, the Winnipeg, MN native earned himself the backup goaltender position after starting the season in the MJHL. He very well may have also earned himself a 2020 draft position as well.

Jaydon Dureau

Personally, I believe that Jaydon Dureau is one of the most underrated players available in this year’s draft. Where you have a playmaker and goal-scorer in Seth Jarvis, you have a playmaking, goal-scoring, grinder in Dureau. Just as Jarvis had an eye-opening second half of the season, so did Dureau. A potential mid-late round pick, the Saskatchewan native may find himself another from the Winterhawks’ roster to hear his name called on Wednesday.

Robbie Fromm-Delorme

Robbie Fromm-Delorme is one of those players that you want good things for. He has so many positive qualities, he just seems to slip the mind of many scouts as far as I have seen. He could be a phenomenal late-round pick for some lucky NHL team. Robbie tends to fly under the radar for most people, but he is a solid player who could contribute some prospect depth for a team that is lacking. Consistency has been his main struggle, should he find his stride in the coming years, he could find himself somewhere on an NHL roster. Likely a late pick if his name is called, any team that selects Fromm-Delorme may just end up with one of the best steals of the draft.

Clay Hanus

Clay Hanus is in his second year of draft eligibility and has set himself up well. He is an adaptable defenseman who can complement any style of play. He has the ability to be offensive if his partner on the blue line is defensive or be defensive if his partner is offensive. As a player who has been on the fringe of draft discussions for the last two years, Clay tends to fly under the radar for most people. However, don’t be too surprised if you hear his name called in the later rounds on Wednesday.

Kishaun Gervais

Talk about a player that an entire fanbase wants good things for. Kishaun Gervais has been such an outspoken activist for mental health and racial equality. The Yorkton, Saskatchewan native has proven himself unafraid to take a stand on the ice as well. Whenever the Winterhawks seemed to need a little boost, Gervais was readily available to ignite the fire and always managed to get the fans excited when he took the ice. The lack of appearances last season may not add to his draft value, but he is one you should never count out.

Just a short wait now

Will we see all of these athletes drafted to the NHL after the draft’s conclusion on Wednesday? Probably not, but the Winterhawks have been busy preparing players for their futures and we will see a number of them begin at the 2020 Entry Draft.