Standouts From The Vancouver Canucks 2024 Development Camp Scrimmage
Twenty-eight prospects and invitees participated in this year's Vancouver Canucks Development Camp.
Photo by Adam Kierszenblat- THN - Standouts From The Vancouver Canucks 2024 Development Camp ScrimmageAfter three days of on and off-ice training, the 28 prospects and invites at Vancouver Canucks Development Camp participated in a Team Blue versus Team White scrimmage. This year's scrimmage started at four on four before transitioning to three on three and finishing with a shootout. Here is a look at which prospects stood out from the scrimmage.
Forwards
Riley Patterson
Riley Patterson put on a show. Vancouvers' fourth-round pick from this past draft was flying all over the ice and scored a beautiful between-the-legs goal. It is clear Patterson is a highly skilled player who was also able to demonstrate just how strong of a skater he is.
Melvin Fernström
Melvin Fernström was impressive at both ends of the ice. While the Cancuks 2024 third-round pick may not have scored, he set up teammates and created chances throughout the scrimmage. Fernström was also a pain in the defensive zone, lifting sticks and stealing pucks from the opposition whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Vilmer Alriksson
What stuck out about Vilmer Alrkisson outside of his 6'6" frame was his puckhandling skills. He was able to carry the puck at top speed and showcased that he could hold off defenders while in motion. A fourth-round pick by Vancouver in 2023, Alriksson will be a prospect to keep an eye on at this year's training camp as well as the Young Stars tournament.
Anthony Romani
One of the best passers among the forward group was Anthony Romani. Drafted in the sixth round by the Canucks this year, Romani was able to deliver tape-to-tape passes all scrimmage while creating shooting opportunities in the offensive zone. Coming off a 111-point season in the OHL, Romani is a highly skilled forward who should have another massive season for the North Bay Battalion next year.
Kaden Shahan
Kaden Shahan may have been the most impressive forward during the scrimmage. A camp invitee, Shahan delivered a fantastic tape-to-tape pass on the first goal of the game, while his willingness to not give up on the puck allowed him to score what was the final goal of the scrimmage. Set to attend the University of Connecticut next season, Shahan will be a name to remember once his NCAA career is over.
Davis Burnside
Another invitee who impressed was Davis Burnside. The Ohio State University forward was involved in multiple goals and was able to show off his blazing speed. Set to turn 21 in September, he is another player that Vancouver could be looking at signing when he decides to make the jump to the pro level.
Defensemen
Jackson Dorrington
Jackson Dorrington was all over the ice for Team White. The Canucks sixth-round pick from 2022 was firm in his own end and showed off some smooth puckhandling in the offensive zone. Set to head back to Northeastern University this season, he was able to show just how far his development has come over the last year.
Basile Sansonnens
Basile Sansonnens was a standout throughout the scrimmage. Vancouver's seventh-round pick from this year's draft showed just how strong he is, knocking pucks loose and forcing the opposition away from the middle of the ice. Sansonnes also made some plays in the offensive zone while demonstrating how good of a skater he is.
Tom Willander
As he has been all week, Tom Willander was one of the best players on the ice during the scrimmage. The Canucks first-round pick from 2023 was dynamic in the offensive zone, as he was able to find open teammates despite constantly being under pressure. Overall, Willander's skating and ability to read plays were all on display as he impressed at both four-on-four and three-on-three.
Aiden Celebrini
The more time spent watching Aiden Celebrini, the more it becomes clear that Vancouver may have drafted a sixth-round steal. Celebrini was all over the ice, and his skating was one of his most noticeable strengths. Without a doubt, Celebrini is a very talented prospect and should see an expanded role when he heads back to Boston University this year.
Goaltenders
Aku Koskenvuo
Aku Koskenvuo had a strong showing during the scrimmage and shootout. Drafted in the fifth round by Canucks during the 2021 draft, Koskenvuo recently finished his second year at Harvard and was a member of the 2023-24 All-Academic Team. Now 21, the Finnish goaltender will remain on Vancouver's reserve list until August 2026.
Brett Mirwald
An invite to this year's Development Camp, Brett Mirwarld made a statement during the scrimmage and shootout. Mirwald, the reigning WHL Goaltender of the Year, was solid positionally in the net while making some impressive saves. The now-former Vancouver Giants goalie demonstrated that he is ready to take the next step and could be an option to sign for either the AHL or ECHL team this season.
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