Prospect Info: With the 139th overall pick in the 2022 draft, the Ducks select Connor Hvidston

[The Midnight Burrito]

Among undrafted WHLers who aren't overagers, I think he's around 25th in scoring? So if he were draft eligible this year he'd probably do better than the 5th round or whatever he was. Assuming the glowing reports we get (from fans, granted) are accurate then you could probably make a case for 2nd rounder?

Still not a blue chipper but worth tracking anyway.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Compare & Contrast: Gaucher v Hvidston

​

Gaucher​	QMJHL​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Year​	Age​	Games​	G​	A​	Pts​	PPG​	​	Plus/Minus​
2019-20​	16​	59​	13​	11​	24​	0.41​	​	-15​
2020-21​	17​	30​	14​	17​	31​	1.03​	​	6​
2021-22​	18​	66​	31​	26​	57​	0.86​	​	30​
2022-23​	19​	38​	20​	21​	41​	1.08​	​	35​

Gaucher was drafted 22nd overall as a fully developed man amongst boys by standing at 6'3 and filled out to 207 pounds. He was known for his defense and a safe pick. This year in the Q, his team ranking in scoring is fifth and Plus/Minus rating is 6th.

Hvidston	WHL
Year	Age	Games	G	A	Pts	PPG		Plus/Minus
2021-22	17​	58​	13​	19​	32​	0.55​		-5​
2022-23	18​	42​	16​	33​	49​	1.17​		12​

Connor has a team leading +12 rating for his team this year and 3rd in scoring with fewer games played than the two scorers above him who have a -11 rating and -2 rating.

Hvidston was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 draft and days away from being a part of the 2023 draft. About a year younger than Gaucher, Hvidston stood at 6'2 and a wiry 165 lbs. Who knows what Hvidston weighs today. The scouting report on Hvidston is a fiesty defensive forward. We've seen this year that Hvidston does get into fights as well.

Hvidston would be considered a late riser if he were to be in the 2023 draft who would be a 2nd or 3rd round type player. 29th overall in the 2019 draft is LW Brayden Tracey. Anaheim took a chance on Tracey being a late blooming, late rising prospect who's ppg rate in his draft year was 1.23 in the WHL. Who know how much weight Hvidston has added since last year's draft weighing and possibly how much taller could he have grown?

Another perspective point is WJC-18 tourney. Last year, Hvidston was part of the WJC-18 team for Canada. Gaucher couldn't be a part of the WJC-18 team last year because he was too old.

Hvidston is worth keeping tabs on for the rest of this season and next to see if that growth in his offense continues.

 

[Kalv]

I think he'd be a 2nd rounder for sure this draft. Hands, two way play, frame, speed - there is a lot to like in him

 

[hockeykid87]

 

[Kalv]

Ah missed this thread today. He also did this:




IMO, he's tracking well for the NHL

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Ah missed this thread today. He also did this:




IMO, he's tracking well for the NHL

A defensive, shutdown forward who is developing offense? His ceiling is getting higher and higher.

 

[Kalv]

A defensive, shutdown forward who is developing offense? His ceiling is getting higher and higher.

I was checking, it seems he is taking the most FO on his team (there is a guy who joined mid season and has taken the most if combined by those both teams). Hvid is only around 47ish % which is only a marginal improvement from last year.

I assume he will improve in that area but there must be a reason why he's trusted so much there.

And yeah, he's among team leaders in +/-, way ahead of other top scorers on the team which all just gives me an impression he's that teams best player. Not too shabby for such a young guy

 

[ohcomeonref]

Is this guy kinda coming out of nowhere/exceeding expectations? He seems to be killing it.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Is this guy kinda coming out of nowhere/exceeding expectations? He seems to be killing it.

Hes going full zellweger

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Hes going full zellweger

Zellweger offense was on display in his draft year as a defenseman, albeit short sample.

WHL: 11 games, 13 pts, and +5 rating​

WJC-18: 7 games, 8 pts, and +8 rating (tied 5th on Team Canada for scoring)​

I was thinking "doing da Hinds" (play off of the School Daze soundtrack " da butt").

Hinds was drafted for his defense and org gambled on his offense. His offense blossomed and continued to flourish. Similarly with Hvidston, drafted for his defense and org gambled on that offense b/c of his youth.

 

[hockeykid87]

Hope he gets into some games.

 

[cheesymc]

Hope he gets into some games.

Nice, it will be good for him to get a taste so he will know how far he is... and he is got another year to keep developing. Hopefully the losing and bad coaching doesn't give him a change of heart to sign with us.

 

[hockeykid87]

That's the most I've ever seen Hvidston celebrate a goal

 

[hockeykid87]

Two goals for Hvidston in his first game of the season on Friday, pointless the next night. I think he's in for a big year.