The future is very bright for the Anaheim Ducks! Not only will they have the number 2 pick in the NHL Draft this year, but they also became the first team in NHL history to have a prospect named Defenseman of the Year in each of the three Canadian Hockey Leagues (OHL, QMJHL, WHL) in the same season. Here are the prospects names, draft number, and league:
QMJHL - Tristan Luneau | 2022 draft, 2nd rd, 21st pk (53rd overall)
OHL - Pavel Mintyukov | 2022 draft, 1st rd, 10th pk (10th overall)
WHL - Olen Zellweger | 2021 draft, 2nd rd, 2nd pk (34th overall)
Zellweger actually won the award twice. He became the sixth defenseman in Western Hockey League (WHL) history to repeat as Defenseman of the Year. He paced all WHL defenders in goals and finished second in scoring. Ducks prospects have now won the WHL Defenseman of the Year Award three times in the last nine seasons (Zellweger x2 and Shea Theodore 2014-15). This isn't an easy award to win and as mentioned, no other team ever has 3 prospects that won Defenseman of the Year. And what's more impressive is that 2 of these prospects are 2nd rounders so huge credit to the Ducks GM as well. Hopefully, we can start seeing these players next year in the NHL and hopefully they make a big impact quick in the Ducks rebuild.
There is also another Ducks prospect who won some type of Defenseman award. Tyson Hinds won the QMJHL's Best Defensive Defenseman award. Funny name for an award but still a good honor to receive as a prospect. This totals 4 Ducks prospects with honors. I cannot wait to see the Ducks future in the NHL.
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