Jeremy Bracco
Jeremy Bracco is a right-shooting right-winger from Freeport, New York. The American prospect was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round, 61st overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
After the Leafs drafted Bracco, he went to play in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers. In his first OHL season, he scored 64 points in 49 games.
In Bracco’s second season, he exploded for 83 points in 57 games. This was good enough for 12th overall in league scoring. This, however, doesn’t represent the full scope of Bracco’s season. He missed 11 games, and if you prorate his points-per-game to a full season, he would have been on pace for 99 points and fourth overall in league scoring.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Deep on the Wing
While Bracco plays a position the Leafs are currently strong in, it doesn’t mean they should jettison all their scoring-winger prospects. Depth is good. It provides options. Sure, Bracco may end up as trade bait just as easily he could end up playing on the Leafs, but you have to remember, it wasn’t long ago that a player like Bracco would have been close to the Leafs best prospect and getting over hyped to the ninth degree.
At age 20, Bracco will almost certainly play this season in the AHL – but there is a very strong possibility that injuries or great play could propel him into the NHL at any time.
That won’t happen until the Leafs clear away some of their current log jam at forward, but the day when Jeremey Bracco makes the NHL isn’t that far away. With his speed, he’s likely to get every opportunity to make the NHL, and if he learns to be better defensively as he begins his pro career, he’ll be a lock to have an NHL career.