Round 6: Alexis Bernier, D/Baie-Comeau Drakkar
One of the draft’s younger defensemen, Alexis Bernier saw time in 80 total games this season and snagged a half-point per game to go with five goals. Like a few of these later-round prospects that fell to me, players like Bernier have the build and productivity to at least factor in as solid organizational depth.
Round 7: Aatos Koivu, C/TPS U18
Another younger prospect but one who hasn’t yet grown into his size, Aatos Koivu spent the 2023-24 season dominating at the U18 and U20 sm-Sarja levels. This is one player who I would be shocked to find falling to Round 7, but there isn’t a single draft out there that hasn’t seen a few potential mid-round selections fall so late.
Round 7B: Tanner Adams, RW/Providence
Also a slightly smaller prospect, Tanner Adams is a versatile player who put up a fair showing during his first season at Providence College with 21 points in 35 contests. That’s not bad for a freshman who never dominated at the USHL level.
Round 7C: Stephen Peck, G/Michigan
Stephen Peck was a sound goaltender at the NAHL level, posting five shutouts, a 2.25 GAA, and a 0.917 save percentage in the regular season. But the true test will come when he finds himself at the University of Michigan next season.
(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)