A deep dive into 2024 NHL Draft prospect and Everett Silvertips forward Julius Miettinen.
A deep dive into 2024 NHL Draft prospect and Everett Silvertips forward Julius Miettinen.
The WHL is set to play a significant role in this year's 2024 NHL Draft. 57 players were included on NHL Central Scouting's final rankings, with a handful expected to be drafted in the first round. Today's draft profile is of Everett Silvertips' Julius Miettinen, who enters the draft as the 18th-ranked North American Skater.
Miettinen has developed into an intriguing prospect heading into the draft. He has excellent size at 6'3", 201 pounds and was able to showcase throughout the season just how valuable he can be at both ends of the ice. While it took him some time to get used to playing at the WHL level, once he finally figured it out, he became a consistent contributor within Everett's lineup.
In the offensive zone, Miettinen is dangerous for a multitude of reasons. He is a nightmare to try and box out in front of the net and can find open space in the slot to set up for one-timers. Miettinen's passing is also a strength, as he can deliver tape-to-tape passes to teammates in scoring positions.
As for his defensive coverage, this is an area where Miettinen really shines. He understands where he needs to be positionally and can use his size to win puck battles along the wall. While he may not deliver massive hits, his physical play does wear the opposition down, which led to turnovers and odd-man rushes for the Silvertips.
From a development perspective, Miettinen doesn't have many holes in his game but will need to strengthen some areas if he wants to make the NHL. Some of these areas include becoming a stronger skater and shooting from distance. He should have plenty of time to continue to work on his skills, as Miettinen should receive a bigger role with Everett next season.
When it comes to the draft, Miettinen will most likely be a second-round pick. He has the potential to be a bottom-six forward at the NHL level, thanks to his already strong play in the defensive zone. Ultimately, he has the tools needed to have a successful pro career and could become one of the steals of this year's draft.
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