LA Kings: Five USNTDP players to consider in 2020 NHL Draft
With the LA Kings AHL affiliate recently hiring former USNTDP head coach John Wroblewski, there’s a good chance at least one of his players is selected in the draft.
One of the best aspects of the LA Kings AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, hiring the now-former USNTDP head coach John Wroblewski is that the 39-year-old has the low-down on all of those players who are draft eligible. Wroblewski saw eight of his players go in the first round and 17 taken altogether in last year’s draft.
With the 2020 NHL Draft less than three weeks away, the nation’s attention is fixated on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But for the LA Kings, it’s about bringing in the next wave of young men to add to the already-talented prospect pool. And with Wroblewski on board, you best bet LA is going to take at least one of his guys.
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Let’s look at five players to consider.
1. Tyler Kleven, Defenseman
Kleven is a big, physical defenseman who features a big booming shot from the blue line. With the U18 team, he tallied two goals with ten assists in 45 games. He’s headed to the University of North Dakota, where he’ll gain all the necessary tools to become a complete defenseman. Kleven is ranked as the 36th best prospect in this class by TSN and has excellent puck control skills.
He’s a good skater with the ability to forecheck opponents or downright physically impose his will. While he projects as a stay-at-home defenseman in the NHL, don’t overlook his left-handed shot from the point.
2. Ty Smilanic, Center
Considered to be one of the best pure skates in this class, Smilanic displays tremendous leadership, great vision, and puckhandling skills. The Denver, Colorado native stands at 6-foot-1, 179 pounds, and is a left-handed shot. He tallied seven goals with 15 assists in 34 games this past season with the U18 team. In the USHL, Smilanic scored three goals and six assists.
He displays excellent edgework and should get stronger as he physically matures. TSN has him ranked as the 39th best prospect in this draft class. The Kings have a wealth of centers, but Smilanic has experience playing at the left wing as well.
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3. Luke Tuch, Left Wing
Luke Tuch is the definition of a power forward. The Baldwinsville, New York native tallied 15 goals and 15 assists in 47 this past season for the U18 team. For the USNTDP Juniors, Tuch scored eight goals with six goals and kicked his year off in USHL with a bang, tallying two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over Green Bay.
His older brother, Alex, currently plays for the Golden Knights, and Luke has a commitment to play collegiate hockey at Boston University. TSN has him ranked as the 43rd best prospect in this draft class.
4. Brock Faber, Defenseman
One of my favorite players in this draft class. Faber is a high-character guy, and we recently did a complete profile breakdown on him. He is a good puck-moving defenseman who does all of the little things right. Faber had a verbal commitment to play hockey at Notre Dame, but the Maple Grove, MN native changed his mind to play for the hometown Gophers.
He has great size for his age, standing at 6-foot-0 and 194 pounds. For the U18 team, he tallied three goals with nine assists in 46 games. In USHL play, he scored a goal and eight assists. He’ll be a terrific two-way defenseman as he continues to develop.
5. Eamon Powell, Defenseman
As a slightly undersized defenseman, Powell should get stronger as he fills out. At 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, he’s a big-time powerplay defenseman, tallying six goals with eight assists for the U18 team. In the USHL, he scored five goals and six assists, finishing second in the league with four goals on the man advantage.
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Powell has a commitment to play collegiate hockey at Boston College next year and is ranked as the 70th best prospect in this draft class, according to TSN.