Every year, there is a new batch of rookies looking to make their mark on the National Hockey League. NHL rookies are someone that has not played in more than 25 games in any preceding seasons, nor six or more games in any preceding seasons. Any player that is 26-years-old or older is also not considered a rookie.
This is a look at the Pacific Division’s best rookies.
NHL Rookies – Pacific Division
Michael Amadio – Age: 21 Position: Center Height: 6’1” Nation: CAN
Before the Kings
Amadio was drafted 90th overall by the Kings in 2014, and has boasted strong statistics in the OHL and AHL since. In the 2015-16 season, Amadio captained the North Bay Battalion of the OHL, for which he played 68 games, scoring 50 goals and tallying 48 assists.
He followed this up with his first season in the AHL for the Kings affiliate the Ontario Reign. He appeared in 68 games for the Reign, scoring 16 goals and 25 assists for a total of 41 points.
With the Kings
He has began his rookie campaign this season for the Kings appearing in eight games so far, scoring once against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Amadio is still adjusting to the highest level of hockey, but shows promise. His effort on the ice is clear, he is just struggling to find his niche in the Kings lineup.
Alex Tuch – Age: 21 Position: Right Wing Height: 6’4” Nation: USA
Before the Knights
Tuch started the 2017-18 season with only six NHL games under his belt. He appeared in these games for the Minnesota Wild, who drafted him in the first round, 18th overall, in the 2014 draft.
Tuch played two seasons for the Boston College Eagles through 2014-2016. He played 77 games for the Eagles and posted 64 points. He followed these two seasons by moving on to the AHL, where he played for the Iowa Wild, Minnesota’s affiliate. Tuch appeared in 57 AHL games in the 2016-17 season, scoring 18 times and posting 19 assists for a total of 37 points. He appeared in six games for Minnesota and did not tally a single point.
With the Knights
He has appeared in 13 games for the Golden Knights, scoring four times and assisting on three. His strong offensive play has allowed him to become a regular on the roster. Tuch has a strong wrist shot and shows strong puck awareness on the ice. Tuch’s rookie season is definitely entertaining to keep up with.
Joakim Ryan – Age: 24 Position: Defense Height: 5’11” Nation: USA/SWE
The Sharks do not have any stand out rookies this year, however there is one rookie that shows a lot of promise.
Before the Sharks
Joakim Ryan was drafted by the Sharks in the 2012 in the 7th round, 198th overall. He was drafted following his freshman season for Cornell University, in which he scored seven goals and tallied ten assists. Ryan completed four years at Cornell; he played in a total of 123 games for the Big Red, in which he scored 19 times and assisted on 59. Ryan has since played two complete seasons for the Sharks AHL affiliate, the Barracuda.
In his first season in the AHL, Ryan scored twice and assisted on 26 goals. He followed this up in his sophomore season (2016-17) with 10 goals and 39 assists in 65 games. This attracted the attention of the Sharks, and he has seen a fair amount of NHL action.
With the Sharks
Ryan has played in 14 game for the Sharks, in which he as tallied two assists. He tends to play with Brent Burns. Ryan has not shown his play making abilities that were clearly visible in college and the AHL. Burns has also not had his best start to the season, if he can pick up his game, maybe Ryan will too.
Mark Jankowski – Age: 23 Position: Center Height: 6’4” Nation: CAN
Before the Flames
Mark Jankowski was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2012 draft, 21st overall. After being drafted, Jankowski played four seasons of NCAA hockey for Providence College. He played in 148 games for Providence where he tallied 110 points. In his senior year he served as an alternate captain, scoring 15 goals and 25 assists.
After graduating he moved on the play for Calgary’s AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat. During the Heat’s 2016-17 campaign, Jankowski appeared in 64 games. He posted 56 points during this campaign.
With the Flames
Since being called up to the NHL Jankowski has played in 10 games for the Flames, scoring three times and tallying a single assist. After a slow start, he has gradually been developing more and more, scoring three times in his last three games. Jankowski’s rookie season continues to progress in a positive way.
Brock Boeser – Age: 20 Position: Right Wing Height: 6’1” Nation: USA
Before the Canucks
Brock Boeser has been a real rookie standout this season. He was drafted 23rd overall by the Canucks in 2015, prior to him leading the University of North Dakota to a NCAA championship in the 2015-16 season. He played two seasons for North Dakota. In his freshman campaign he played in 42 games, scoring 27 times and totaling 60 points. He followed this by being named an alternate captain his sophomore year, in which he played in 32 games tallying 34 points.
With the Canucks
He appeared in nine games for Vancouver during his sophomore year, in which he scored four goals for a total of five points at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Boeser has made the jump to the NHL without anything holding him back. In 15 games played this season he has scored five goals and assisted on 10. He recorded his first NHL hat trick on November 4th against Pittsburgh for a total of four points on the night. Boeser is exactly what the ‘Nucks need this season and he will most definitely stay a regular player on their roster.
Kevin Roy – Age: 24 Position: Left Wing Height: 5’9” Nation: CAN
The Ducks are not boasting a ton of rookie talent this season. This could change with Kevin Roy’s recent call up.
Before the Ducks
Roy was drafted by Anaheim in 2012 in the 4th round – 97th overall. Roy played four seasons of NCAA hockey for Northeastern University from 2012-16. During his senior year (2015-16) he was named captain. He played in 130 games for Northeastern and recorded 150 points in his college career. Following this he moved out west to play for Anaheim’s AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. In the 2016-17, Roy played in 67 games for San Diego, scoring 16 goals and 30 assists.
With the Ducks
He has only appeared in three games for the Ducks this season and has recorded only a single goal. Anaheim should be optimistic about Roy, as he shows a lot of promise and could definitely be a starter if he can make a better adjustment to the NHL. Roy has also played in 10 games for the Gulls this season in which he has recorded 11 points.
Kailer Yamamato – Age: 19 Position: Right Wing Height: 5’8” Nation: USA
Edmonton, like the Ducks, is another team that does not currently have an incredibly large rookie presence.
Before the Oilers
Kailer Yamamato was drafted 22nd overall by the Oilers in 2017. This came after two break out seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Yamamato has played the last two seasons with the Spokane Chiefs in Washington. In his first season (2015-16), he appeared in 57 games and tallied 71 points. He followed this up with an even stronger sophomore campaign in which he scored 42 times and assisted on 57 goals for a total of 99 points.
With the Oilers
Yamamato has played in nine games for Edmonton this season, assisting on three goals. He shows a lot of promise, he just needs to make the adjustment to the NHL. He has since been assigned to the WHL. In two games with the Chiefs this season he has one goal and three assists.
Clayton Keller – Age: 19 Position: Center Height: 5’10” Nation: USA
Before the Coyotes
It’s not at all surprising Clayton Keller is on this list. Keller was drafted 7th overall in the 2016 draft by the Arizona Coyotes, and has been making his mark on the NHL early in the 2017-18 season. Prior to playing for the Coyotes, Keller played a single season of NCAA hockey for the Boston University Terriers. Appearing in 31 games for BU in the 2016-17 season, he scored 21 goals and 24 assists.
With the Coyotes
Keller currently leads all rookies in goals and points with 11 goals and six assists in 20 games. The kid knows hockey and is one of the most exciting players to watch this season. He is hockey smart, he always seems to know where the puck is going to be, and he likes to play hard in front of the net. Keller is most definitely a Calder Trophy frontrunner.
The Pacific division has a lot of young talent this year, and it will be exciting to see how these young stars develop in the near future. The likes of Keller, Boeser, and Jankowski make this division one of the strongest for rookie talent.
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