The Vancouver Canucks&#8217; 2023 draft class is proving to be a source of quick promise, with notable performances from a few Canadian Hockey League prospects.
Hunter Brzustewicz, a third-round selection, has emerged as a standout defender in the OHL, amassing an absurd 48 points in 29 games.
Meanwhile, Vilmer Alriksson, the towering 6-foot-6 Swede, is delivering solid value as a fourth-round selection. Playing for the Guelph Storm (OHL), he has accumulated 18 points over 27 games and maintained a point-per-game pace in his last seven outings.
In the Western League (WHL), however, defenceman Sawyer Mynio, chosen 89th overall, is making a significant impact himself and exceeding expectations, thus far.
On Tuesday evening, the 18-year-old contributed four points, which included a goal and three primary assists &#8211; all of which came with the man advantage.
Moments before netting his fourth goal of the season, Mynio snapped his stick on a shot attempt. After leaving the zone to fetch a replacement, he returned to find himself alone to receive a pass and bury the goal.
The goal.
<div style="width: 938px;" class="wp-video">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-118636-1" width="938" height="494" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/g-3.mp4?_=1" /><a href="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/g-3.mp4">https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/g-3.mp4</a></video></div>
The assists.
<div style="width: 1280px;" class="wp-video"><video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-118636-2" width="1280" height="720" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Untitled-video-Made-with-Clipchamp.mp4?_=2" /><a href="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Untitled-video-Made-with-Clipchamp.mp4">https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Untitled-video-Made-with-Clipchamp.mp4</a></video></div>
This was his fourth multipoint game of the year, and his first time hitting the four-point plateau.
With these four points, he has reached a total of 15 on the year. His impressive point-per-game clip of 0.83 currently ranks him 13th among all WHL defencemen.
Notably, he is now just 16 points away from his career-high of 31, achieved in his draft year, despite playing 50 fewer games.
Of course, much of this success can be attributed to increased ice time and responsibilities.
Mynio has been a key factor on the blueline for the Seattle Thunderbirds this season, enjoying top minutes in all aspects of the game &#8211; even-strength play, power plays, and penalty-kill units.
Recognized for his strong two-way skills, it&#8217;s encouraging to see him flourishing in offensive situations since joining the Canucks pipeline.
Reflecting on his WHL journey, which included consecutive championship appearances and a Memorial Cup run in his hometown of Kamloops last year, Mynio has enjoyed tons of success at the WHL level.
&#8220;As I go into my third year here in Seattle, we&#8217;ve gone to the championship back-to-back years. I think that was huge for my growth, lots of important experience in this league, lots of development all these years. I think I have grown my game over the years, which helped me get drafted by the Canucks.&#8221;
He mentioned in a recent interview with Adam Kierszenblat of the Hockey News.
Unfortunately, the Thunderbirds&#8217; reign appears to have come to an abrupt halt, as they currently hold a .500 record (11-11-1), placing them ninth in the Western Conference.
Regardless, it&#8217;s yet another indication of a strong movement which is currently going on within the Vancouver Canucks prospect system &#8211; especially from the backend.

The Vancouver Canucks' 2023 draft class is proving to be a source of quick promise, with notable performances from a few Canadian Hockey League prospects.

Hunter Brzustewicz, a third-round selection, has emerged as a standout defender in the OHL, amassing an absurd 48 points in 29 games.

Meanwhile, Vilmer Alriksson, the towering 6-foot-6 Swede, is delivering solid value as a fourth-round selection. Playing for the Guelph Storm (OHL), he has accumulated 18 points over 27 games and maintained a point-per-game pace in his last seven outings.

In the Western League (WHL), however, defenceman Sawyer Mynio, chosen 89th overall, is making a significant impact himself and exceeding expectations, thus far.

On Tuesday evening, the 18-year-old contributed four points, which included a goal and three primary assists - all of which came with the man advantage.

Moments before netting his fourth goal of the season, Mynio snapped his stick on a shot attempt. After leaving the zone to fetch a replacement, he returned to find himself alone to receive a pass and bury the goal.

The goal.

[video width="938" height="494" mp4="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/g-3.mp4"][/video]

The assists.

[video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/Untitled-video-Made-with-Clipchamp.mp4"][/video]

This was his fourth multipoint game of the year, and his first time hitting the four-point plateau.

With these four points, he has reached a total of 15 on the year. His impressive point-per-game clip of 0.83 currently ranks him 13th among all WHL defencemen.

Notably, he is now just 16 points away from his career-high of 31, achieved in his draft year, despite playing 50 fewer games.

Of course, much of this success can be attributed to increased ice time and responsibilities.

Mynio has been a key factor on the blueline for the Seattle Thunderbirds this season, enjoying top minutes in all aspects of the game - even-strength play, power plays, and penalty-kill units.

Recognized for his strong two-way skills, it's encouraging to see him flourishing in offensive situations since joining the Canucks pipeline.

Reflecting on his WHL journey, which included consecutive championship appearances and a Memorial Cup run in his hometown of Kamloops last year, Mynio has enjoyed tons of success at the WHL level.

"As I go into my third year here in Seattle, we've gone to the championship back-to-back years. I think that was huge for my growth, lots of important experience in this league, lots of development all these years. I think I have grown my game over the years, which helped me get drafted by the Canucks."

He mentioned in a recent interview with Adam Kierszenblat of the Hockey News.

Unfortunately, the Thunderbirds' reign appears to have come to an abrupt halt, as they currently hold a .500 record (11-11-1), placing them ninth in the Western Conference.

Regardless, it's yet another indication of a strong movement which is currently going on within the Vancouver Canucks prospect system - especially from the backend.

WATCH: Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio sets career high with 4 point night

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