Four Tri-City Americans Picked at 2017 NHL Entry Draft

(Photo from Doug Love/Tri-City Americans)

The excitement and expectations were high for the Tri-City Americans heading into the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. In all, the Americans had eight players listed on the NHL Central Scouting final report. That was the most ever for the Americans and also the most of any WHL team this season. When the dust settled, four Americans’ players officially had their NHL rights claimed.

6’6” power forward Michael Rasmussen became the highest drafted Tri-City player since Carey Price was taken #5 overall by Montreal in 2005. The Detroit Red Wings selected Rasmussen at #9. Rasmussen finished the season ranked #5 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. His big frame and strong presence in front of the net are a coveted commodity in the NHL. Despite an injury shortened season in the WHL, Rasmussen shone bright early in the year scoring 55 points (32g, 23a) in only 50 games. Just being selected in the top 10 is a huge honor for any player. Add to that the fact that Detroit is an original six team that has gone through a bit of an identity crisis lately (they missed the playoffs last year for the first time in 25 seasons) and one can see how this opportunity is a special one for Rasmussen.

According to WHLStatsPro, Americans defenseman Juuso Välimäki has been one of the top ranked WHL defenseman statistically against all other WHL defensemen since 1998. It was no surprise that the 6’1”, 211 lb. Finnish Defenseman went #16 overall to the Calgary Flames. Välimäki became the highest drafted Americans’ defenseman since 1996 when Dan Focht was drafted #11 overall by the Phoenix Coyotes. Skating ability and high hockey IQ are 2 of the most sought after qualities in defenseman by NHL teams in this day and age, and Välimäki brings both. He also brings a scoring touch, finishing last season with 61 points (19g, 42a) which was good enough for 7th among all WHL defensemen.

Morgan Geekie was passed over during the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He used that as inspiration to make sure that didn’t happen again in his 2nd year of draft eligibility. Geekie was a player that steadily moved up all season long on Central Scouting’s list. He was ranked a very respectable #50 at the midterm and landed at #45 at season’s end. The Carolina Hurricanes selected him #67 overall. The 6’2”, 190 lb. Center is another one of those big bodies that isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice. His 90 points (35g, 55a) led all Americans’ skaters last season and was a vast improvement over the 25 points (12g, 13a) that he tallied during the 2015-16 season.

The final Americans player selected in this year’s entry draft was forward, Kyle Olson. Olson was taken #122 overall by the Anaheim Ducks. Listed at 5’10” and 161lb., Olson joined a crop of “smaller” players taken this year across the draft board. But his size is by no means indicative of the impact he can have on any team that he plays for. He’s not afraid to battle along the boards. He’s not afraid to get scrappy with opposing players of any size. He’s durable. He played in every Tri-City regular season and playoff game this year. Along with those intangibles, he is also a solid scorer. He finished 6th on the team with 57 points (20g, 37a). He was defensively sound as well, registering a +/- rating of 25 that was best among all Tri-City skaters this year. Olson is a well rounded player who, despite going in a later round at the draft, could prove to be a huge asset at the NHL level.

This year’s draft yield of four players was the most since 2004 when the Americans also saw four players taken in the entry draft.