The USHL saw 49 players with league ties selected in the 2024 NHL Draft, and these late-round selections could be great finds for their respective NHL clubs.
The 2024 NHL Draft is in the books. Over the course of the two-day event, the USHL saw 49 players with league ties drafted by NHL clubs, thus ending a six-year run of 50-plus players selected.
After ten players with USHL ties were drafted in Round 1, 39 players heard their names called in Rounds 2-7 on Saturday. Eight players were drafted in Round 2, four in Round 3, nine in Round 4, three in Round 5, six in Round 6, and nine in Round 7, with all 16 teams having at least one selection.
The U.S. National Team Development Program led the way with 14 players, followed by Dubuque with six, Muskegon with five, Chicago with four, Youngstown and Lincoln with three, Green Bay, Fargo, Sioux Falls, and Waterloo with two, and Tri-City, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Madison, Omaha and Des Moines with one.
These late-round selections could be great finds for their respective NHL clubs.
Round 7, Pick 207: Mac Swanson, F (Pittsburgh Penguins)
The 2024 USHL Forward of the Year, Player of the Year, and Clark Cup Playoff MVP dropped in the ranks due to his stature. At 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, there will always be concerns about Swanson's ability to produce at higher levels. However, the North Dakota commit excels with his passing abilities and demonstrates a high hockey IQ. His increased goal-scoring ability this past year adds another dimension to his game, making him an even stronger player for the upcoming collegiate season.
Round 7, Pick 195: Joe Connor, F (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Connor entered this draft as one of the most intriguing re-entry candidates after his outstanding 2023-24 season. He scored 60 points with 31 goals and 29 assists for Muskegon. Despite not being the biggest player on the ice, Connor skates well and features a powerful shot that will help him reach his full potential.
Round 6, Pick 182: Austin Burnevik, F (Anaheim Ducks)
Austin Burnevik is entering a rebuilding Anaheim Ducks franchise loaded with talent about to take off at the NHL level. The former NTDP forward took a third year in the league with the Madison Capitols this past year and recorded 40 goals and 71 points. At 6-foot-4 and almost 200 pounds, he's a big-bodied forward who unlocked the next level of his game and became a significant asset as an all-situations player.
Round 6, Pick 179: Xavier Veilleux, D (New York Islanders)
I had expected Veilleux to be drafted earlier than the sixth round, but the Islanders will gladly take him with the 179th overall pick. The 18-year-old had a great season with Muskegon, scoring three goals and 29 assists in 62 games. His 32 points were the most among rookie defensemen in the USHL. Veilleux is known for his puck-moving skills and great passing, particularly during breakouts. Although he didn't take many shots last year, I anticipate that he'll score more goals as he continues to develop as a defenseman.
Round 7, Pick 198: James Reeder, F (Los Angeles Kings)
Reeder is another player that I thought might go higher in the draft, but he joins the Los Angeles Kings as a seventh-round selection. The Denver commit had a solid year for the Eastern Conference-champion Dubuque Fighting Saints, recording 60 points on 20 goals and 40 assists. Reeder excels as an undersized player and often goes undetected in the soft areas of the ice for scoring opportunities. He is a highly intelligent forward who is not afraid to battle for the puck in the corners.