With the 64th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, the Vancouver Canucks have selected two way forward William Lockwood.
Lockwood was ranked 108th amongst North American Skaters, but was actually ranked as 74th by TSN’s Bob Mckenzie. With that being said, with the talent left on the board, it’s fair to believe the Canucks were targeting Lockwood with this pick and did not expect him to be available when they made their way to the podium next time.
Bio:
- Age: 18, 1998-06-20
- Birthplace: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, U.S.A
- Frame: 5’10”, 172 lbs.
- Position: RW
- Handedness: R
- Draft Year Team: USNDTP
- Accomplishments/Awards: U18 WHC Bronze Medal (15/16)
Lockwood’s is regarded as a high energy forward who is a proficient skater and has shown an ability to finish his chances. There are concerns about his creativity with the puck and his ability to win puck battles.
The right-handed winger finished the UNDTP season with 33 points in 59 games in a middle six role. He then went to the U18 in North Dakota where he posted 7 points in 7 games. It’s not surprising that the Canucks would have interest in Lockwood, as they have shown a propensity to target players who excel there, and Lockwood fits that mood. He showed very well for the United States.
When using pGPS, Lockwood has zero matches, so it’s hard to get a read on what the changes are but given the Canucks obviously see something they like about Lockwood.
Lockwood is committed to the University of Michigan next season.
The only concern is that the Canucks skipped some players that have higher ceilings and potential for a diminutive forward that works really hard and is a ball of energy on the ice. Teams do need players like that, and he could turn into something, but passing over those other players is a bold move to get him.
crap. n second pick and thr oil gets benson … crap
Just means we weren’t going to get him at 33, so that makes me feel a bit better. Debrincat was around though.
Abramov picked next and Bitten shortly after… what a drop in their rankings. Surprised about Cam Dineen and Cliff Pu being available too, but these are the rounds that Benning seems to be dialed into.
I want to be positive about this pick, but this is the player they see playing RW behind Virtanen and Boeser? There were some solid choices they passed over to select him, there has to be a lot more to him than meets the eye.
Not sure I understand this pick. We have Virtanen and Boeser on RW already in the system.
There ws some other talent available that might have made more sense at this point…Will Bitten (C), Cliff Pu (C), Vitali Abramov (higher talent ceiling) or various dmen…
Edmonton has landed Puljujärvi, Benson, and Niemeläinen…they are just killing this draft so far.
Lockwood at #63 seems a little underwhelming when I consider both Tryamkin and Brisbois were taken at #66. I’m not familiar with Lockwood, maybe he surprises as we move on.
Memo to Sportsnet: Stop the Trivago guy adds. This bozo is getting on my nerves.
Don’t like this pick at all. Typical undersized “top six or bust” type. “Or bust” usually wins.
… soooo … no parade?
Really like this Candella pick, just read a beaming blog about him published before December. Seems like he could have placed a lot higher if not for his broken wrist. 20 points in 37 games is pretty good for a defenseman at this point.
Stukel pick is good too, he exploded in points after being traded from the Giants to the Hitmen. Decent, although he’s an overager.
Of course the unspoken headscratcher here is Ty Ronning being passed over, unless I missed him as an earlier pick, but I don’t think so…
Maybe he continues to drop because of size and we grab him with one of our 7ths?
Looks like Ronning will be available again at #184…
Abols! Well that’s fun!
Hopefully he just had a tough year adjusting to the Dub.
haha. What a complete joke. JB, you make me look like a genius! How many additional two-fours than normal did you smash before going up to the draft podium?
i like his skating and aggression. i also like the fact he gets to develop in a good ncaa program.
usndt lists him at 5′ 11″ fwiw
he has been a key depth player on a stacked usndt roster. he may emerge as something different at michigan.
very very very interesting pick….will JB be around to see if this kid makes it to the big leagues?
As with many of Bennings surprising draft picks,nobody has ever seen him play,barely heard his name or has half an idea about the player and his projected upside potential or why the team of scouts decided upon him.
Instead it is the same old: I want Ehlers and Tkachuk and Fabbro and Benson.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Given that Lockwood would not be draft eligible if he were a few weeks younger, I wonder if comparisons to next year’s cohort might be reveal what Benning & Co. might be thinking?
You might be onto something here. Given Benning’s ability to spot young talent, he may see something in this young man others haven’t yet seen.
This is the only pick that seems to be disappointing. A smallish defensive forward with four years of college ahead of him. Hard to figure this is the right pick at that slot with what is left on the table.