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Canucks Prospects Report: McDonough, Kudryavtsev & Bloom

Aidan McDonough, NCAA, Northeastern Huskies

In this edition of the Vancouver Canucks Prospects Report it’s signing season as Aidan McDonough and Kirill Kudryavtsev both put pen to paper on their entry-level contracts (ELC) this past week. Josh Bloom also joined the organization before the 2023 Trade Deadline and is continuing his impressive career season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the North Bay Battalion.

McDonough Inks Entry-Level Contract After Impressive Season in NCAA

After some uncertainty around whether McDonough would sign with the Canucks after his senior year with Northeastern, he put those concerns to rest by signing his entry-level contract on Monday (March 13). Arguably the organization’s second-best forward prospect after Jonathan Lekkerimaki, he comes to Vancouver after an impressive 45 goals and 77 points in the past two seasons in the NCAA. Named captain of the Huskies before the 2022-23 season, he led the team with 20 goals and 38 points (one off his career-high set in 2021-22) and was lethal on the power play where he could be seen blasting one-timers from the right circle.

Aidan McDonough, Northeastern Huskies (Jim Pierce / Northeastern)

While McDonough is probably excited to be signing his first NHL contract, he likely wanted it to happen a little later in the season. Returning to Northeastern with hopes of a national championship in 2023, his team fell short of that goal on the weekend when his Huskies lost 2-1 in the Quarterfinals to the Providence Friars. McDonough had three shots in the loss, but was held pointless for only the 11th time this season.

Despite the disappointment, McDonough will now try and impress the new Canucks brass who weren’t involved in drafting him back in 2019. Fortunately, it looks like he already has a fan in his corner in general manager Patrik Allvin.

“Aidan has continued to improve his game each year since being drafted and we are very pleased to have agreed to terms with him today…He has steadily grown into a leadership role with Northeastern throughout his time there and our development team is looking forward to working with him as he starts his pro hockey career.”

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As mentioned, McDonough’s biggest strength is his wrist shot and lethal one-timer on the power play. He also has great character and leadership abilities as referenced by Allvin and reiterated by his now-former head coach Jerry Keefe:

He was a tremendous captain for us….

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