Anaheim Ducks draft pick shocked to be taken third overall

Early picks in a draft don’t always hold many surprises, but there was one surprise at this year’s NHL Draft at the Sphere in Las Vegas that made even the prospect turn to his parents and say, “Holy shit. »

With Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini going first overall to the San Jose Sharks and Michigan State’s Artyom Levshunov ending up next to the Chicago Blackhawks as expected, the rest of the draft has been a little more difficult to define.

When the Anaheim Ducks then took the stage to make the third pick, they were expected to go with Russian Anton Silayev or Ivan Demidov. Maybe Medicine Hat Tigers star Cayden Lindstrom or NHL Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla’s son, Tij Iginila.

They didn’t do any of that.

Instead, they went with Becket Sennecke of the Oshawa Generals, and to say he was shocked would be an understatement.

Good job, boy! Put on that new Ducks sweater and have a night out in Vegas to celebrate… actually, forget it, I don’t think he’s old enough to walk into a casino.

Congratulations anyway.

While Sennecke had been mentioned as a good candidate among Anaheim’s talented youngsters, he told ESPN after the pick that he didn’t expect to become a Duck because they weren’t on the teams he had been with. met the day before.

Well, matchup or not, the Ducks clearly see potential in him.

“Beckett is an impact player who plays with high-level skill and intelligence, and has the potential to be a dynamic player,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said in a statement. “He plays with determination, drives to the net, has incredible hands and vision. During our numerous visits, his drive to succeed was evident. He will fit well with our current group of elite young players already in the NHL and support our goal of building a perennial contender. »

We’ll see in the years to come if the pick pans out, but regardless, it’s great to see a prospect genuinely surprised to hear his name called.