The Ducks added nine more players to their prospect pool on Saturday after picking towering center Roger McQueen at No. 10 overall on Friday.
As they get set to take flight in the nascent stages of their pro careers, here is a glimpse at each of the newest Ducks.
Eric Nilson, 45th overall, forward, 18, 6-foot, 165 pounds
Nilson’s path will soon take him from his native Sweden to East Lansing, Mich., where he’ll don the green and white of the Michigan State Spartans. Nilson could be the most well-rounded prospect in the draft, with no identifiable deficiency in his game. Nothing jumps off the screen from Nilson either. His father Marcus was an NHL pro, and that has been reflected in the maturity and hockey sense of the younger Nilson.
Lasse Boelius, 60th overall, defenseman, 18, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds
He has consistently put up numbers against his peers, but even against older opponents his elusiveness and fluid skating remain remarkable. He can handle and move the puck effectively as well. His profile isn’t dissimilar from Jackson LaCombe’s or Olen Zellweger. Among a relatively weak crop for the Finns, Boelius might be the Leijonat’s best prospect.
Noad Read, 72nd overall, forward, 18, 6-foot, 170 pounds
While he had some proponents, Read being selected at this stage in the draft was something of a surprise. He projects as an energetic, competitive forward for the lower lines. Next season will give everyone, including the Ducks, a better look at Read, whose role was somewhat limited on a loaded London Knights team that won the Memorial Cup last year and was the runner up in 2024.
Drew Schock, 101st overall, defenseman, 18, 6-foot, 179 pounds
He has a similar profile in many ways to Boelius, also displaying dynamism in his skating in addition to excelling in both directions of the transition game. He was a point-per-game player on defense at the U18 World Championships. Schock’s new home will be in Ann Arbor and his new duds will be navy and maize when he joins the Michigan Wolverines this fall.
Elijah Neuenschwander, 104th overall, goalie, 18, 6-foot-4, 198 pounds
Neuenschwander could become just the ninth Swiss goalie to appear in an NHL game and if he does so for the Ducks it would be especially fitting. They once employed Switzerland’s all-time leader in NHL wins, games and save percentage, Jonas Hiller. Economical movement and a projectable frame indicate he could be refined into a promising prospect.
Alexis Mathieu, 136th overall, defenseman, 18, 6-foot-4, 196 pounds
Mean. Nasty. Throwback. Rugged. Old-school. Imposing. Punishing. Mathieu’s scouting report includes every cliche in the book, but he lives up to those descriptions on the ice. Don’t expect any offensive production, but count on tight gaps, physical defense and some intimidation from the big Quebecois rearguard.
Émile Guité, 159th overall, forward, 18, 6-foot-2, 179 pounds
Much like Ducks prospect Arytom Galimov, Guité won his league’s rookie of the award but then receded from the fore swiftly. Galimov won the honor in Russia’s top pro league, while Guité did so in Quebec’s finest junior competition. Guité put up 57 points two years ago, but barely half that total last season. If he can provide more consistent effort and production, this late pick could become a steal.
Anthony Allain-Samake, 168th overall, defenseman, 17, 6-foot-3, 183 pounds
Another mobile left defenseman with creativity and a penchant for joining the rush, he was one of the youngest players in the draft. He also had a tale of two halves in his first US junior season, finishing much stronger than he started. Next year, he’ll move up to the NCAA level with the UConn Huskies.
Brady Turko, 200th overall, forward, 17, 6 foot, 198 pounds
Turko was an under-the-radar prospect and another September 2007 birthday, whom the Ducks may be projecting to do bigger things as he continues his junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings. His younger brother Easten, a defenseman, will likely join him next season. If he does, there’ll be the first pair of brothers to play for Brandon since John and Peter Quenneville, the cousins of Ducks coach Joel Quenneville.