CANUCKSARMY’S 2018 NHL DRAFT PROFILES: #46 Jonny Tychonick
5 years ago
Penticton Vees defender Jonny Tychonick lands at 46th overall in the CanucksArmy prospect ranking for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Already part of the all-name team for this draft class, Tychonick is a smart and charismatic kid who jumps off the page as an offensive defenceman who can quarterback a powerplay.
He is already committed to one of the best NCAA programs in the US after spurning the WHL and USHL to remain in the BCHL.
With a BCHL championship already won last season, Tychonick followed that up with a dominant performance in the BCHL that landed him on the BCHL First All-Star Team this season.
It may be a longer route to the NHL for the 5’11” defender but the payoff may be worth the wait.
Bio
- Age/Birthdate:17.54/ March 3, 2000
- Birthplace: Calgary, AB, CAN
- Frame:5-foot-11/ 165 lbs
- Position: Defence
- Handedness: Left
- Draft Year Team: Penticton Vees(BCHL)
- Accomplishments/Awards:
- 2014-2015
- AMBHL Most Points by Defenseman (58)
- AMBHL Most Valuable Player
- AMBHL Top Defenseman
- 2015-2016
- AMHL First All-Star Team
- 2016-2017
- BCHL Champion
- 2017-2018
- BCHL First Team All-Star
Stats
Career
Jonny Tychonick was selected 12th overall by the Saskatoon Blades in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft but he decided to head to Penticton in the BCHL to allow the ability to go to the NCAA. He committed to the University of North Dakota for 2018-19 on April 1, 2016.
The Fargo Force drafted him at the 2016 USHL Futures Draft with hopes that they could lure him there and keep his NCAA eligibility. Tychonick remained at Penticton for that season as well and saw his WHL rights traded to the Calgary Hitmen on November 8th, 2016.
Unless something changes drastically – Tychonick will head to UND this fall to play for the Fighting Hawks.
The Calgary born defender was part of Team Canada at the U18 World Juniors Championships this April after posting 17 points (3-14-17) in 11 BCHL playoff games.
2017-18 Season
| GP | G | A | P | SEAL | INV% | 5v5 Pr INV% | 5v5 eP160 | Sh/Gp | Sh% | GF% | GF%rel | GD60rel | XLS% | XPR | xVAL |
| 48 | 9 | 38 | 47 | 0.00 | 32.6% | 13.0% | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0% | 50.0% | -12.9% | -1.17 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Our Take
It can hard to project BCHL players and their success rates thus the lack of draft data available for Jonny Tychonick.
With that in mind, Tychonick is a smooth skating offensive defenceman who is taking the longer development path and that may ultimately prove to be the best path for him. He has all the tools to be that puck-moving defenceman who can quarterback a powerplay while moving the puck efficiently and on the tape.
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He is very smart in the offensive zone with his pinches, reads, and puck movement. Utilizing his teammates with conviction and constantly appears to be thinking about the next play that is developing. He has a great arsenal of shots that he can use – leaning into a wrist shot or hammering it with the slap shot. He is adept at adjusting his release point to create lanes and isn’t afraid to shoot it at the goalie’s pads for rebounds or intentionally wide to create space and havoc.
Ideally, Tychonick would be a better defensive player as his smarts and instincts in the offensive zone far exceed his play in the defensive zone. He isn’t horrific when defending but it’s not at the same level as his offensive chops. The left-handed defender does make a great first pass and is willing to rush the puck out himself. It’s just a matter of his positioning, reads, and anticipation in the defensive zone that needs improvement.
It is something that he will need to work on at North Dakota, but it’s a great program that will allow him to round out his game.
He could stand to be more physical but that isn’t his game, instead relying on his skating and puck movement to efficiently get the puck out of danger.
There is always that concern that Junior A players may struggle when they rise in the quality of competition but Tychonick held his own at the U18’s in all three zones and ended the tournament with two assists in five games.
We do have him ranked slightly lower than average and consensus but a team in the early parts of the second round will see value in his offensive game and are willing to be patient with his development.
Further Reading
| Consolidated | Average | Future Considerations | Hockey Prospect.com | ISS Hockey | McKeen’s | The Athletic | TSN Bob McKenzie | TSN Craig Button | The Hockey News | Sportsnet | ESPN | Dobber Prospects |
| 42 | 38.9 | 29 | $$ | $$ | 38 | 46 | 41 | 28 |
Tychonick is a two-way, intelligent defender…his skating checks off all facets you look for as he is fluid and mobile…generates good levels of speed and displays strong lateral quickness…impressive offensive instinct to his game and he sets up many potential chances thanks to his heads up reads that extend zone time and create opportunities…carries the puck with confidence…dishes timely and creative passes, displaying impressive vision…has a shot that he places in position to boost rebound or re-direct opportunities…
