Hurricanes select Ryan Suzuki with 28th pick
The Carolina Hurricanes chose Ryan Suzuki with the 28th overall pick at the 2019 NHL Draft.
Ryan Suzuki
Position: Forward
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 181 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Barrie Colts (OHL)
Nationality: Canada
| GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 25 | 50 | 75 |
(Stats courtesy: EliteProspects.com)
Suzuki led the Colts in points this past season, and the London, Ontario-born center's goal production ranked second on the club in 2018-19.
He dropped eight spots between the two editions of the NHL Central Scouting rankings of North American skaters, sliding from 10th at the midterm down to 18th on the final list, perhaps in part because his OHL club struggled this year.
Suzuki was named to the league's all-rookie second team in 2017-18 after the Colts chose him first overall in the 2017 priority selection.
The younger brother of Montreal Canadiens prospect Nick Suzuki, Ryan told NHL.com that he models his game after Washington Capitals star pivot Nicklas Backstrom.
What they're saying
"Suzuki is one of the smartest OHL prospects we have seen in years," Elite Prospects' Tyler Parchem said in 2017. "He is a good skater, excellent passer, and is very good at putting himself in scoring positions, where he rarely fails to capitalize. He does not play overly physical but is very good at avoiding contact while doing so. He has excellent hands and all-around vision."