Derek Lee and Patrick Present discuss Austin Burnevik The Ducks have a rich history of finding contributors from the NCAA through the NHL draft. Names like Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry and Josh Manson come to mind. Austin Burnevik is the latest collegiate player to be added to the Ducks organization. After a couple of seasons with the U.S. NTDP and one season in the USHL with the Madison Capitols, Burnevik is currently in his freshman season at St. Cloud State University. Burnevik was selected in the sixth round by Anaheim [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-select-austin-burnevik-with-182nd-overall-pick] this past summer and has gotten off to a hot start. After scoring three goals this past week, Burnevik was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Rookie of the Week. This is already his second honor of the same variety [https://nchchockey.com/news/2024/10/14/mens-ice-hockey-kj-branding-nchc-players-of-the-week-october-7-13-2024.aspx] this season. Burnevik was also nominated for NCHC Forward of the Week and NCHC Rookie of the Month for October, though he was not selected for either honor. With six goals and 11 points on the season, Burnevik now leads all NCHC freshmen in points and goals. He is currently tied for third in goals and tied for fifth in points among all NCHC players. While Burnevik has shown a nose for the net, he still has a long way to go to prove he can become a capable NHLer. Burnevik’s biggest flaw is his skating. It was apparent during development camp that his stride and motion need vast improvement in order for him to reach even the lowest of NHL-level skating. Luckily, he is still young and will have plenty of time to work on improving his skating. Burnevik already possesses a toolkit that makes him a capable goalscorer. Adding improved mobility and speed will allow him to become even greater offensively—and defensively as well.
