11th Pick – San Jose Sharks
Conor Geekie (C)
6’4″, 205 lbs
The San Jose Sharks have the opportunity to draft Savoie’s teammate, Connor Geekie. He’s Winnipeg’s second-line center. This past season, he recorded 24 goals and 46 helpers for a total of 70 points in 63 games. In the playoffs, Geekie played in 15 contests where he registered three goals and eight assists for a total of 11 points.
Geekie’s brother Morgan plays for the Kraken. Having that close connection should help the Strathclair, Manitoba native prepare and train to be a pro at the highest level. He also has the opportunity to learn from his brother what it not only takes to make it to the NHL but also how to remain in the league.
12th Pick – Columbus Blue Jackets
Cutter Gauthier (LW)
6’2″, 189 lbs
With their first pick in the draft, the Blue Jackets went with a defenseman. It makes sense to fill a different position with this selection. They get a good one in Cutter Gauthier. The left-winger has impressed as a natural goal scorer with a quick release. He has committed to Boston College next season, where he’ll put his shot on display to light some lamps. Playing under Head Coach Greg Brown, Gauthier has the opportunity to take the next step in his development.
13th Pick – New York Islanders
Pavel Mintyukov (D)
6’1″, 192 lbs
Pavel Mintyukov has come a long way since playing for MHK Dynamo Moskva in the MHL. He drew the attention of the Saginaw Spirit who drafted him 52nd overall in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.
He has greatly improved his game in Saginaw under Head Coach Chris Lazary in addition to all the international experience he has accumulated. Mintyukov plays the angles well and is still developing his defense.
The New York Islanders will like the offense he is able to generate from the back end. He will surely be a powerplay driver in the NHL. With the Spirit, Mintyukov dropped 17 goals and 45 assists for 62 points in 67 games.
14th Pick – Winnipeg Jets
Danila Yurov (RW)
6’1″, 179 lbs
Danila Yurov is a strong skater, who will gladly lead the rush down the wing. Last season, while playing for Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk in the MHL, the Russian, impressed with 13 goals and 12 assists in just 23 games. It was enough to earn him a promotion to the organization’s KHL club, Metallurg.
Yurov had the same opportunity thrust upon him this season. After playing six MHL games and tallying three goals and nine assists, Yurov once again was given the nod to join Metallurg. He lasted 21 games before being returned to Stalnye Lisy. There was a big difference in Yurov’s production between the two levels. He was deployed with limited minutes in the KHL, while he was allowed to thrive in the MHL.
15th Pick – Vancouver Canucks
Denton Mateychuk (D)
5’11”, 187 lbs
Much like Mintyukov, Denton Mateychuk is an explosive offensive defenseman. Playing for the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native played 65 regular season games where he had 13 goals and 51 assists for a total 64 points. He was nearly a point-a-game player from the back end. That production continued into the playoffs where Mateychuk recorded 10 points in 10 games on a goal and nine assists.