NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Brock Boeser

Get to Know Brock Boeser
Date of Birth: 2/25/1997
Place of Birth: Burnsville, MN, USA
Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 192 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Right Wing
Team: Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)

Unlike some of the late risers in this year’s draft, Brock Boeser is a player who has been on the draftnik radar for years. Drafted 4th overall in the 2013 USHL Draft (behind fellow first round prospect Thomas Novak), Boeser has certainly lived up to his potential thus far as he scored 35 goals and 68 points in just 57 games played in his only full year in the USHL.

Committed to play for North Dakota next season, the Minnesota native Boeser is one of the few USHL prospects who will be drafted this year that should see the NHL sooner rather than later.

Statistics

What Scouts See

eliteprospects.com:

A dynamic offensive winger and natural goal scorer. Has great instincts and is able to quickly get into position for premium scoring chances; possesses an accurate release on his shot which he can get off in the blink of an eye. He always knows where his linemates are, and is a great passer; that being said, his individual puck possession play is incredible and sets him apart as an offensive player.

He will need to work on defensive zone coverage and a slew of small details such as board battles, but Brock Boeser has a ton of elite-level scoring potential due to the way he can read, make, and finish plays.

Future Considerations:

A big power winger who utilizes his size and strength to generate offensive chances…a real do-it-all guy…plays hard in all three zones…has a great compete level…protects the puck extremely well, especially with defenders draped all over him…fights through any contact he encounters…has a lethal shot, quick release and very accurate…drive the net…can also pull up and set-up his teammates with a skilled pass…

Defensively he does a great job taking away shooting lanes and forcing the other team to adjust their plan…a real pro-style player

What BSN Avalanche sees

The Avalanche haven’t had a 30-goal scorer since Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk both did it in the 2006-07 season and Boeser is a guy that brings a whole lot of goal-scoring potential to the table. He has a lightning quick release and can pick corners with the best of them in this draft. Everything about his play with the puck says he could be an elite offensive player.

Like so many young goal scorers, Boeser’s defensive game is almost non-existent. He naturally reads the game well so in time this should be cleared up with coaching but as of right now he’s not a player that is going to get into the dirty areas of the ice and grind it out. Needs more substance to complement his flash.

Highlights



NHL Potential

Boeser’s goal-scoring potential and natural spot on the wing make him a likely top 6 player. His defensive game isn’t that great and he’s still so raw that if he doesn’t reach his potential, he could find himself as nothing more than a talented depth player.

Expected Draft Position

Boeser is ranked in the late 20’s and early 30’s by most services but former NHL GM Craig Button has him listed as the 9th-best prospect in the Draft. As the process goes on, I expect the two sides of the Boeser coin to meet somewhere in the middle, making Boeser a likely late first round selection.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

Even though Button has him ranked 9th, Boeser probably won’t have that much helium come draft day and he’s part of a glut of prospects that are going to be selected in the late first round and early second round. If the Avs snag Boeser with their second round pick, it’s nothing short of a draft day coup. Boeser would become a top 5 prospect for the Avalanche and the kind of goal-scoring prospect the team has not had in many years.

While his game is raw, it would be a disappointment if Boeser was not in pro hockey and developing for the San Antonio Rampage within 2 seasons and cracking the NHL roster within 4. As such, he is a long-term projection draft pick and not someone the organization should rely on to quickly ascend the ranks. Boeser is the kind of forward that should reward his selecting team’s patience in the long run but should not be rushed.

Considering the patient approach the Avalanche have taken since Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic took over, the fit between Boeser and the Avalanche in the second round would be excellent. At 10th overall, it would be an unacceptable reach.