Golden Knights take Nick Suzuki 13th overall
The Vegas Golden Knights drafted forward Nick Suzuki with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft on Friday.
Nick Suzuki
Position: Center
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 183 lbs
Age: 17
Club: Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Nationality: Canadian
| GP | G | A | P | ES GPG | ES PPG | ES GF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 45 | 51 | 96 | 0.34 | 0.82 | 69.81 |
(Even-strength stats courtesy: prospect-stats.com)
Nick Suzuki was a top-10 North American skater in NHL Central Scouting's final rankings, courtesy of a breakout second season with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack. He finished fourth in the league in goals and fifth in points, putting him near or at the top of each category among first-year draft-eligible players.
Here's how his game is described by Elite Prospects:
A smart offensive center that thinks the game at a fast pace and makes very good decisions on a consistent basis. Though he may not be the biggest player on the ice, Suzuki plays a thick, sturdy game and is hard to knock off the puck, especially when he has his feet moving. He's an excellent skater that knows his own game well.
Skilled with the puck and has a high level of hockey sense. This blend of talent and work ethic is hard to come by, invaluable in the long run.
Suzuki's 2016-17 highlights can be seen here.