LAS VEGAS >> It couldn’t have worked out much better for the Wild in the 2024 NHL draft.
After the Wild got what many considered to be the biggest steal of the first round on Friday night in defenseman Zeev Buium, director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett was back at it on Saturday morning, ending up with a couple of players with seemingly limitless potential, as well as some depth pieces that could fill a role in the future.
Here’s a look at the 2024 draft class for the Wild with analysis from Brackett:
Zeev Buium No. 12 pick (first round)
Age: 18
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 180 pounds
Hometown: San Diego, California
2023-24 Stats: 50 points (11 goals, 39 assists) in 42 games with with the Denver Pioneers (NCAA)
Analysis: “A complete defenseman. Obviously the strengths of his game are his mobility and his execution in transition and running the power play.”
Ryder Ritchie No. 45 (second round)
Age: 17
Position: Winger
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 175 pounds
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
2023-24 Stats: 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 47 games with the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Analysis: “More shoot first. He wants the puck and he wants to create offense.”
Aron Kiviharju No. 122 (fourth round)
Age: 18
Position: Defenseman
Height: 5 feet, 10 inches
Weight: 185 pounds
Hometown: Esbjerg, Denmark
2023-24 Stats: 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) in 7 games with HIFK (Finland)
Analysis: “Unbelievable footwork along the offensive blue line. He’s a power-play quarterback, for sure, with offense on his mind.”
Sebastian Soini No. 140 (fifth round)
Age: 18
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6 feet, 2 inches
Weight: 185 pounds
Hometown: Tampere, Finland
2023-24 Stats: 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 28 games with Ilves Jr. (Finland-Jr.)
Analysis: “A bigger body. A really strong skater, especially north south.”
Chase Wutzke No. 142 (fifth round)
Age: 17
Position: Goalie
Height: 6 feet, 2 inches
Weight: 160 pounds
Hometown: Debden, Saskatchewan
2023-24 Stats: 19-10-2, 2.82 goals against average, and .904 save percentage in 36 games with the Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Analysis: “He’s still got some room to grow physically. He’s very athletic and competes on every puck. We love all the intangibles.”
Stevie Leskovar No. 174 (sixth round)
Age: 19
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6 feet, 4 inches
Weight: 200 pounds
Hometown: Cambridge, Ontario
2023-24 Stats: 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists) in 61 games with the Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Analysis: “Never afraid to finish a check and often times has to sort of answer the bell for it. He isn’t afraid to.”