We have officially entered June, meaning there is less than a month until the 2025 NHL Draft. The Vancouver Canucks currently own a pick in every round of the upcoming draft and have a chance to add seven new prospects to their organization. But before we look to the future, let’s take a look back at the Canucks’ 2024 draft class and see how all players have progressed this season. Vancouver made five selections in the 2024 NHL Draft, and all players have managed to take strides this season.
Round 3, Pick 93: Melvin Fernström, RW, Örebro HK (J20 Nationell)
Vancouver did not have any selections in the first two rounds of the 2024 Draft, as both picks were given up in trades. Their first-round pick was traded to the Calgary Flames for Elias Lindholm, and their second-round pick was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, along with Jason Dickinson, for Riley Stillman.
Related: Revisiting the Canucks’ 2023 Draft Class
So the Canucks needed to have trust in their scouting staff for their first pick, and they went with winger Melvin Fernström. Fernström primarily played in the J20 Nationell with Örebro HK in 2023-24 and scored 31 goals, 32 assists, and 63 points in 45 games for his club. He was even able to play six games in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). This season, Fernström played primarily in the SHL and played a total of 48 games, but saw his usual point totals decrease mightily in his new league, as he only scored 17 points in 48 games.
Fernström still dominated within his age group, as he scored 18 points in the 12 games he played this season in the J20 league. Although the Canucks’ top pick from last draft, Fernström is no longer a member of the organization, as he was traded along with multiple other pieces to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Marcus Pettersson deal.
Round 4, Pick 125: Riley Patterson, C, Barrie Colts (OHL)
With their next pick in the draft, Vancouver selected centre Riley Patterson of the Barrie Colts. Patterson entered the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) a season late as he was exploring NCAA offers, but came to the Colts the season he was drafted, which was also his first season in the OHL. With all of those factors still in play, Patterson put together a respectable 2023-24 campaign by scoring 29 goals and 33 assists for a total of 62 points in 68 games. He scored three points in six playoff games for Barrie in 2024.
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