Canucks sign UFA defenceman Mitch Eliot to three year entry level contract
5 years ago
The Canucks have dipped their toes into the free agent prospect market this afternoon, signing defenceman Mitch Eliot from the Sarnia Sting to a three-year entry-level contract:
The 20-year-old defenceman is in his second campaign with the Sarnia Sting and has posted seven goals and twenty assists in 32 OHL games this season. Last year, he started the year with Michigan State University but made the leap over to the OHL mid-season. He didn’t tear it up that year with only two goals and one assist in sixteen games.
He’s seen an elevated role with the Sting, has seized that chance, and has put up some points from the backend. He is second in defensive scoring for Sarnia and sits fifth in the Ontario Hockey League in defensive scoring.
Eliot participated in the Carolina Hurricanes development camp this past summer.
A physical two-way defenceman that plays a structured competitive game. Smooth skating compliments his ability to control the puck at higher speeds. Displays a pretty hard shot and crisp tape-to-tape passing ability, but is actually relied on more in the defensive zone. Battles very hard for puck possession and sees the game in lanes. Very strong positionally and is poised in his own end. As he continues to grow, he will become a more well-rounded defenceman with each game, as he recognizes and learns from his mistakes. Can play long shifts.
Any prospect like this is a lottery ticket. Most likely won’t work out but it’s clear looking at the Canucks prospect pool that they are in need of right-handed defencemen and Eliot provides that. The Grosse Pointe, MI native has clearly taken a step forward this season and the organization will hope that he can continue to do so over the remainder of this season and going forward.
Since the deal was signed prior to the end of the 2018 calendar year and Eliot will turn 21 in the new year, the first year of the contract will be eaten up this season.
